‘An act of unlawful private retribution’

13:21, 23 Jul 2026Updated 15:42, 23 Jul 2026

Terrence King, left, and Devon Simmonds-Caines(Image: GMP)

A killer driver who mowed down a teenager in ‘an unlawful act of retribution’ has been jailed for life.

Terrence King, 60, deliberately ploughed into 15-year-old with his car, driving at almost double the speed limit. Devon Simmonds-Caines, who was riding a stolen e-bike, suffered catastrophic injuries and sadly died at the scene on Rowrah Crescent in Langley, Middleton on July 22, last year.

At trial, King claimed that he only wanted to ‘block in’ the bike to stop it, and that he had no intention of harming Devon. King first stood trial in January, when jurors were deadlocked and could not agree on a verdict. In the aftermath of the jury being discharged, King pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

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Following a retrial earlier this month, King was found guilty of murder. Today, July 23, King was jailed for life to serve a minimum of 16 years and one day.

A judge told him: “This was an act of unlawful private retribution. The robbery of the bike was wrong, but it did not entitle you to harm anyone. The law does not permit anger, panic or misguided loyalty to be turned into violence.”

Devon Simmonds-Caines(Image: PA)

Minshull Street Crown Court previously heard that the e-bike which Devon was riding when he was hit had been ‘robbed’ earlier that day by Devon and another youth, when the owner of the e-bike had been ‘physically dragged’ off it.

In footage played to the jury, King was seen to ‘deliberately’ pursue Devon on the e-bike and steer towards him and collide with him ‘at speed’. Michael Hayton KC, prosecuting, said that footage showed no brake lights being activated on the Vauxhall. “It does not slow down at all,” he told jurors.

Devon’s death was ‘caused by the deliberate actions of the defendant Terrence King who, in temper or outrage’, made a ‘conscious and deliberate decision to drive towards Devon and to steer towards him at speed and to collide with him’, the prosecutor added.

Devon suffered serious injuries which proved ‘unsurvivable’, and that he was pronounced dead at the scene at 12.20pm that day.

Reading from her emotional victim statement, Devon’s grandmother, Yvonne said on the date of his death she received a call from her daughter asking her to come to Middleton. Whilst stuck in traffic on the M60 she overheard on the radio that a boy had been killed in a collision, she said.

“I remember hearing this noise that sounded like a wounded animal. I realised it was coming from me. I was shaking uncontrollably and screaming,” she read.

“I would describe it as the worst day of my life.”

Terrence King(Image: GMP)

She described Devon as a ‘bright, caring and happy boy’ with an ambition to start his own clothing business selling hats. At his funeral, the family managed to produce a number of hats for those attending to ‘continue his legacy’.

Devon’s dad, Thomas, said: “He had his whole life in front of him. He was a very, very talented, clever boy. My son was taken from me far too soon.”

Sharlene, his mum, said that she was unable to be with Devon whilst emergency services were at the scene, and could only hold his hand as he was taken to a private ambulance. She said his younger siblings constantly asked where he was, and that she struggled visiting his grave as it ‘made everything feel very real’.

“Devon had been having a troubled time during his short life, but he had turned a corner. He was attempting to make changes for his future, but his future has now been taken from him,” she said.

Defending, Mukul Chawla KC said that there was a lack of premeditation.

“In terms of the intention of the defendant, there is not a huge amount I can say about that. That is a matter to be determined by the court,” he said.

“However, the court can be assisted by the defendant’s immediate remorse – and we do suggest there was. We suggest that the court can be satisfied that on the evidence, there was no intention to kill.”

The scene on Rowrah Crescent, Langley(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)

He added that King had ‘clear and unequivocal’ remorse both at the scene and during his police interviews, and that he did not seek to blame anyone else. Mr Chawla also said that King has since been attacked whilst in prison and remains in the segregation unit for his own protection.

Sentencing, Judge Maurice Greene said: “The events began with a robbery of a e-bike. Devon and another youth robbed the e-bike and Devon rode it away.

“The robbery was wrong and nothing I have to say should be understood as excusing it. But the robbery of an e-bike did not justify what resulted. It did not justify anger, revenge or punishment, or the use of a motor vehicle against a child.”

He added that it was ‘not a momentary brush with danger’ and that his intention was to cause ‘really serious harm’.

King, of Castlerigg Drive, Middleton, was jailed for life to serve a minimum term of 16 years and one day. As he was led from the dock, a member of Devon’s family shouted: “you’re a coward”.

Following the case, Senior Investigating Officer Duncan Thorpe said: “Terrence King deliberately drove his car into Devon, causing traumatic injuries that sadly resulted in his death, despite the best efforts of attending emergency services.

“Our thoughts remain with Devon’s family who have had to deal with the trauma following Devon’s passing. This has been an incredibly difficult year for Devon’s family and friends and I hope today’s result can bring them some closure.”