A little boy has been left shaken and angry after he was pulled from his bike by a piece of rope blocking his way along a footpath.

Young Troy Baldock, nine, suffered bruising to his neck from where he came into contact with the cord, before being flung into stinging nettles in East Malling woodland.

Dad Grant Baldock says the incident, which happened at 5.30pm yesterday near Hillberry Farm, has left his son scared to get back onto his BMX.

The 31-year-old believes the rope, which was tied to the branches of two trees either side of the trail, was left there as a trap for unsuspecting cyclists.

“He was riding up the track with my other little boy, Blake,” the father recalled.

“I heard the scream and Blake came running down saying Troy had hit a wire. I ran there and saw he was on the floor crying with rope burns on his neck.

“It’s lucky he didn’t smack his head.”

Mr Baldock, who is from Wateringbury Road, has been contacted by other East Malling residents who have had similar experiences in the woods.

He says the incident has left his son desperate to find out who was responsible for setting the apparent trap.

“It’s not on to set traps like that. It’s such a dangerous thing to do because it’s a popular cycle route,” Mr Baldock added.

'It could have happened to anyone...'

“Troy was shaken about it all and was just as angry as me. He just wants to know who’s done it, but unfortunately, I don’t think we’re ever going to know.

“What’s more, he’s lost his confidence on his bike now.

“It could have happened to anyone. It would have even pulled an adult off their bike.”

Mr Baldock returned to the same footpath, which he regularly visits with his sons, this morning to cut the rope down.

He says he has reported the incident to the police, who have been contacted for comment.

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