Driver jailed for causing biker's death in chase with stolen car

A teenager who killed a motorcyclist while driving a stolen car has been jailed for more than seven years.

Shikeo Bell, who was 17 at the time, chased moped rider Carl Dawson through the streets of north Manchester in September 2021.

CCTV footage showed that Bell’s stolen Seat Leon was just three metres behind Dawson at times, eventually hitting his back wheel on Hillier Street, Harpurhey.

Carl, 43, from Moston, was thrown from his bike and sustained a fatal head injury.

Bell was identified as the driver by investigators from forensic evidence inside the stolen car and a paint sample from Carl’s motorbike.

Bell (10/09/2003) pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison at Manchester Crown Court today (10/5/2023).

He was also also banned from driving for eight years and will serve two years on extended licence.

Bell was further jailed for 18 months after pleading guilty to several robberies, possession of a bladed article and fraud.

Detective Constable Helen Hitchen, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “This is a very sad case and our thoughts are with Carl’s family, and I can only hope today’s sentence brings some closure.

“We will probably never know why the chase that cost Carl his life started but it’s clear that Bell’s reckless and dangerous actions have resulted in the fatal collision.

“Bell continued to make no comment in interview despite forensic evidence linking him the stolen car, and didn’t admit his crimes for almost 18 months, eventually pleading guilty in March 2023.

“GMP will not allow the safety of our roads to be threatened by dangerous drivers, and appropriate action will always be taken when offences are committed.”

• Information about any offences can be reported to GMP in multiple ways. You can call police 101, 999 in an emergency or report online via our website: www.gmp.police.uk
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• Alternatively, you can report information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111