Police sell stolen bike without contacting owner

A motorcyclist spotted his own motorcycle for sale on the internet – only to be told by police the seller was the bikes’ new rightful owner.

Strathclyde Police had in fact recovered teenager Andrew Stevenson’s dirt bike shortly after he’d reported it stolen. But the force had flogged it without making any attempt to contact him.

Stevenson’s only way to claim the Yamaha RT100 back would be through the civil courts, the force advised. Or he could buy the bike back, an officer helpfully suggested when contacted by Stevenson’s dad, also Andrew. 

Strathclyde Police told Stevenson Snr bikes were sold under contract by recovery firm Robb Vehicle Services if the company could not trace the owner within six months.

But the RT100 was spotted for sale on the website Gumtree on November 8, less than six months after it vanished from the Stevensons’ shed at their home in Wishaw, Lanarkshire, on May 15.

A police spokesman said enquiries were ongoing into when the bike was recovered and why the Stevensons had not been contacted.

“Every case is considered separately and compensation for this one is currently being considered,” he added.

Stevenson Snr, 36, a park attendant, said that was news to him. “They said we’d have to pursue it through the civil courts and suggested the seller was being very fair because he was prepared to sell it back to me for £60, which was what he’d paid for it,” he said.

“Since then they’ve not had the decency to contact us in any way.” 
Stevenson Jnr, 14, said: “I just want my bike back.”

The bike’s seller, who would only give his name as David, said it had been stolen again from his garage last Tuesday night, along with a second Yamaha RT100 and a mini moto.

The 50-year-old electrician said he’d bought it from Robb Vehicle Services around mid-October. 

Robb Vehicle Services refused to answer questions, saying it was a condition of its contract with police that it did not speak to the press.

The police spokesman said some of the £60 paid for the bike would have gone to the force.    

To find out why it’s the second bike young Stevenson has lost to Strathclyde Police, get MCN, on sale November 25.