A teenager who caused the death of a much loved dad-of-four by knocking him off his motorbike in an apparently unprovoked chase has been jailed. Shikeo Bell caused 'unspeakable grief' to the family of 43-year-old Carl Dawson - known as 'Glasses' - when he chased him through the residential streets of Moston and Harpurhey before knocking him off his bike, causing him 'catastrophic injuries'.
The death of the would-be grandad who was one of 11 siblings was described as 'utterly utterly needless' and was part of a crime spree of robberies which saw 19-year-old Bell jailed for seven years and two months at Manchester Crown Court today (May 10). The crash happened late at night on September 7, 2021, when Bell was 17, on the junction of Hillier Street and Princedom Street in Harpurhey.
CCTV footage played to the court showed the pursuit, which lasted around 45 to 50 seconds, where Bell was driving a stolen Seat Leon driving at Carl at speeds of nearly 50mph and gradually getting closer and closer to him before knocking him off. Bell drove off from the scene leaving Carl with fatal head injuries, and was seen by police driving the same car in the days after the incident. The court heard that Bell drove cars used for drug dealing but was alone at the time of the fatal incident.
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Prosecuting, Hugh McKee, told the court that the Seat had been stolen in Manchester two months previously and that Carl and his son spotted him on Mora Street, initially suspecting it was an unmarked police car, around 11.30pm on September 7, 2021. Carl was driving a motorcycle with his son riding a moped who begun to be chased by Bell turning onto Zeta Street and Ashley Lane where speeds increased.
Carl's son left to return home, the court heard, but Bell continued his pursuit of Carl onto Princedom Street, where he got as close as three metres behind him. As they came onto Hillier Street Bell hit the back wheel of Carl's motorcycle causing him to lose control and come off the bike.
He hit his head causing 'catastrophic' injuries, with Carl pronounced dead a short time later. He was not wearing a helmet.
Bell was seen driving the Seat in the days following the incident before being arrested on October 6, giving two no comment interviews. Mr McKee said there was "nothing to indicate why" Bell had started to follow Carl and his son and continue the chase.
Two victim impact statements from grieving family members were read to the court. Carl's sister, Gillian Dawson, described that their mother had died before Carl's death, but would have been 'destroyed' by it.
"When I heard what had happened I thought I was dreaming, I was in a complete daze," she said. "We went straight to where it happened, just thinking he had been in an accident but you could tell it was serious. Then I had a phone call from daughter screaming saying ‘he’s gone’."
Ms Dawson added that the family's feelings turned to 'pure anger' when they discovered someone had knocked him off his bike. "Carl did not deserve this," she said.
"It turned our whole world upside down, family gatherings are not the same anymore."
Gail Burns, Carl's wife, said they have had to move away from the area as they lived close to the junction it happened and remain "completely destroyed" by Carl's death. "The children are a shell of their former selves. He was an amazing father and the love of my life I would never wish this upon anyone, it’s sheer devastation," her statement read.
"We will remember him as the person he was and try to be positive but there will never be justice for his family and friends."
Before and after this Bell was involved in a 'gang' which undertook robberies, which he was also sentenced for. On the afternoon of July 30, 2021, Bell and three others attempted to rob a man on Wilbraham Road in Chorlton who was punched in the head after he confronted the group of three.
Just 20 minutes later nearby a man driving with his six-year-old son parked his Volkswagen Golf outside of his house before Bell and two others ran at the dad. The dad had opened the door for his six-year-old son when the gang attacked him trying to take his keys. He was pushed to the ground and the mother came running out of the house and was shouted at by the group to get the young boy out of the car. The keys were grabbed off of the man and the car was stolen.
On the night of August 23, 2021, Mr McKee said a man and a woman were driving in a blue Audi before pulling up near their house. At this point a car pulled in front of them and a group of males, including Bell, wearing balaclavas got out and approached the car. One of the men was thought to be holding an axe.
The man threw his keys at the group who drove off with the Audi which had his wallet in as well as designer sunglasses. The victim called the police and while with them was notified by his bank that money had been spent using his card at a shop on Great Western Street in Manchester. CCTV showing this purchase showed Bell wearing the sunglasses who was identified by the victim as also being involved in the robbery.
Bell was later arrested and questioned over this where he gave no comment to interviews.
After the dangerous driving incident which killed Carl Dawson, Bell would again be involved in the robbery of a car. Mr McKee told the court that on the evening of February 27, 2022, a Vauxhall car driven by a man with a 16-year-old passenger parked on a street to go to a shop on Wilmslow Road.
After parking they saw a group of three to four males in an alleyway who approached the car. The driver then 'panicked' as 10/15 more males appeared. Bell opened the driver's door and put his fist up in a 'threatening' way before pulling out a 'Rambo' style knife.
The occupants tried to flee the scene but as they did so the driver was hit with what he thought was a bat or knuckle dusters. He was given injuries which required hospital treatment. Bell was arrested the next month with the victim of the final robbery identifying him as the person who pulled the knife out during the robbery.
Defending Bell, Anna Bond, told the court that Bell pleaded guilty to the counts of causing death by dangerous driving, robbery, attempted robbery, possession of a bladed article, and fraud. She said he was very young at the time of these offences and has been found to be on the autism spectrum.
Ms Bond said he had been 'taken in' by the criminal lifestyle he saw but did not attempt to now blame others for his actions. "He realises where he was going wrong and has ambitions to turn around when able to," she said.
Ms Bond added that he did not stop after hitting Carl due to being in a 'panic' which was 'selfish and wrong'. "He is sorry for the family and will think about it himself for the rest of his life."
Sentencing Bell to seven years and two months for causing death by dangerous driving, as well as robbery, attempted robbery, possession of a bladed article, and fraud, judge Elizabeth Nicholls, said there will never 'be peace' for Carl's family.
"You deliberately put the life of another at risk by your driving. You committed this offence and then went on to commit other serious offences," judge Nicholls added.
"You still have no explanation for the chase and you got so close you clipped his wheel. Having done so you drove off leaving him alone and injured.
"You have caused unspeakable grief to the family. Your behaviour will always haunt the family of Carl, his death was so utterly utterly needless and all because of your stupidity on that night in September, days before your 18th birthday.
"You have an advantage over their (Carl's) family of living a life after this because the one they lost has no future to look forward to. I hope that will remain with you and help you reflect on your behaviour in the future."
Bell was also banned from driving for eight years and will serve a two year extended licence period.
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."
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