Student Hotspot Theft: Lives Changed in Seconds by a Bike Thief
A thief targeted students outside the University of Manchester, stealing multiple devices and leaving victims devastated
Manchester, UK, Theft, University of Manchester, Adekunle Adebusuyi
Manchester: A thief was on the loose, snatching phones from students as he zipped by on his bike. It was a brazen move that left many shaken.
Over a few weeks, this guy, Adekunle Adebusuyi, managed to swipe five phones, a laptop, and even a bike. He targeted students who were just minding their own business.
Only one item, a laptop belonging to a female student, was recovered. It had all her important university work on it, which made the loss even tougher.
Adebusuyi, just 18, pleaded guilty to several theft charges. He claimed he was trying to clear a drug debt. The court gave him a community order, but it’s clear he’s had a rough past.
Prosecutor Olivia Saul laid out the details in court, explaining how he approached victims on his bike and snatched their belongings. This all happened right outside the University of Manchester.
One student shared how losing her laptop affected her studies. She said, “I can’t finish my work now, and it’s really messed things up for me.”
Adebusuyi had a history of theft, with five previous convictions. His lawyer mentioned he started stealing to pay off a drug debt but hinted at a chance for him to turn things around.
The judge, District Judge Jane Hamilton, made it clear that he was facing serious consequences. She asked him if he understood the gravity of his actions, and he nodded, admitting it wasn’t nice for the victims.
In the end, the judge decided to give him a break, considering he had found a job at a photography studio. He got an 18-month community order, along with some community service and court costs to pay.
Plus, he’s now banned from the university area and can’t have a phone that isn’t registered to him or someone he knows. It’s a tough lesson, but hopefully, he’ll take it to heart.
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