Elderly man charged after allegedly chasing, mowing down two kids in prank gone wrong in Coffs Harbour

An elderly man has been charged with predatory driving after allegedly hitting two boys riding an e-bike with his car after a prank in a NSW North Coast town.

Police were told a group of children knocked on a door at a Coffs Harbour home about 8.30pm on Saturday.

After knocking on the door of the house, the boys ran away from the premises before jumping on e-bikes.

The prank is commonly referred to as a “ding dong ditch”, where someone will run up to a front door and ring the doorbell before fleeing.

Police allege after the prank, the homeowner got into his car and followed behind the children on their e-bikes.

The man behind the wheel allegedly mounted the gutter and continued following the boys along the nature strip on Feran Crescent.

Police allege the then drove into the back of an e-bike, throwing two children into the air.

A short time later, the 78-year-old man was arrested at his Reid Drive home.

He has been charged with predatory driving and knowingly drive vehicle in manner menaces others.

He appeared before court on Sunday and was granted conditional bail to appear at court again on Wednesday, September 23.

Originally published as Elderly man charged after allegedly chasing, mowing down two kids in prank gone wrong in Coffs Harbour