Teen ‘died in bike crash while fleeing burglary’

Rider and driver on trial for causing his death

- BY ANDREW BARDSLEY

A TEENAGER died after riding on a stolen motorbike which crashed as its driver tried in ‘desperation’ to get away from the victim of a burglary who was pursuing them, a jury has heard.

Callum Duncan, 28, stored three motorbikes in a shed at his home in Reddish, Stockport.

Minshull Street Crown Court heard that in the early hours of January 24, 2023, three burglars broke into his shed.

The householder, Mr Duncan, was woken by the noise and gave chase in his car as the trio fled on the stolen bikes.

Dean Barnes, 16, who was riding as a pillion passenger on one of the stolen bikes, died in a subsequent crash as Mr Duncan pursued.

Mr Duncan and Adam Norman, 36, who was driving the stolen bike which Barnes was riding on, are both on trial accused of causing death by dangerous driving. They both deny the offence.

Norman and another man, Alexander Riley, 21, have both admitted burglary.

Prosecuting, Phil Barnes said there was ‘no room for doubt’ that Dean Barnes was the third burglar.

Mr Barnes said: “It would be wrong of any of us to presume Dean Barnes was an angel.”

The prosecutor said the origin of the case was a crime which would ‘cost him his life.

Barnes, Norman and Riley went out in the early hours to commit a burglary at a house in Harewood Grove, Reddish, jurors were told.