Shocking footage shows the moment a teenager on an illegal off-road bike ploughed into a cyclist, leaving him with life-changing injuries.
The video shared by Cleveland Police shows two boys in balaclavas weaving through the streets of Thornaby on January 31.
The off-road bikers in Thornaby (Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)
Dashcam footage shows one of the Surron bikes slam into a 46-year-old cyclist, leaving him with significant and life-changing injuries.
He crashed into the bonnet of a parked car throwing him from his bike. The teen on the Surron was also injured.
When asked by police at the scene, the teenager initially denied being on a bike at the time.
The second teen did not crash and stopped momentarily before making off from the scene. He returned to fetch the other off-road bike and rode it away.
Police managed to trace the boy through fingerprints he left on a door at the scene.
Neither gave any account of what happened during police interview. Both were arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
The rider who crashed was charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving without a licence or insurance.
The second rider was charged with perverting the course of justice, possession of a class B drug, driving without a licence or insurance and driving dangerously. Both pleaded guilty to the offences and were sentenced on Wednesday September 2.
Months after the collision, the man remains in hospital, where he requires round-the-clock care and is unable to return home to his wife and seven children.
(Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)
The two boys cannot be named for legal reasons because of their ages.
They received driving disqualifications and youth referral orders. One of the boys was also ordered to pay £495 in compensation.
* WARNING - SOME VIEWERS MAY FIND THE VIDEO IN THIS STORY DISTRESSING
Cleveland Police has the footage in a warning about the potentially devastating consequences of using illegal bikes.
Police said: "They are not toys.
"We urge anyone who may have an illegal bike to think twice before riding it, and before someone is harmed."
The force said its thoughts remained with the injured man and his family while he continues to receive treatment.
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The force is also asking members of the public to report people who are using or are in possession of illegal bikes.
Information can be given to Cleveland Police on 101, online or through its COPA app, while reports can also be made anonymously to Crimestoppers.
Police added: "We won't tolerate it."