Police appeal for witnesses after Mansfield teen battling cancer mugged at knifepoint

Jacob Fradgley’s mother Sammy has taken to social media to appeal for witnesses after the shocking incident which has left her 17-year-old son feeling afraid to go outside.

He was approached by two youths on mountain bikes on Ladybrook Lane around 8.20pm and was threatened with a knife before they made off with his phone.

Sammy explained: “Jacob was absolutely terrified – he has a portacath in his chest for his ongoing treatment which leads straight to his heart, and he was worried that even a small stab wound could kill him.

“We are absolutely furious that people would prey on someone so vulnerable.

“They got away with his phone – it wasn’t expensive, but it’s his lifeline while he’s having treatment.”

Jacob has battled the cancer since mid-2018 and thought it was beaten, until he was told late last year that it had relapsed.

He is about to endure his final stage of this treatment cycle, and will then wait to find out if he is able to have a higher dose of chemotherapy along with an autologous stem cell transplant in a last-ditch attempt to beat the cancer.

He had been spending his time making memories before lockdown, including us arranging for him to meet his hero Ant Middleton in December, and has spent weeks in and out of hospital, before deciding to go for a socially-distanced walk to meet a friend from cadets as rules were finally relaxed.

Police are appealing for witnesses and information on the robbery.

A police spokesperson said: “The incident happened at around 8.20pm yesterday, in Ladybrook Lane, when a 17-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl were approached by two youths on mountain bikes.

“Both are believed to be white and in their late teens. One suspect is said to be around 5ft 11ins tall and of medium build.

“He was riding an orange bike and wearing a tracksuit and face covering.

“The other is described as around 5ft 7ins tall and of skinny build. He was riding a black bike and was also wearing a tracksuit and face covering.

“Nobody was injured in the incident but a mobile phone and a small quantity of cash were taken. The offenders fled in the direction of Mansfield town centre.”

Detective Sergeant Matt Scott, of Nottinghamshire Police, also said: “This was a distressing incident for the young people involved and I am determined that we bring those responsible to justice. These kinds of incidents are very rare but they can have a lasting impact on victims. I would like to appeal to anyone in the local community who may have information that could help us bring these two offenders to justice.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting incident number 807 of 2 June or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111