Man: Big Wheel incident 'self-defense'

TOPEKA, Kan., Dec. 10 (UPI) -- A Kansas man convicted of battery said it was "self defense" when he stopped a 6-year-old boy from riding his Big Wheel on the sidewalk.

Denny Bogan, 54, of Topeka, who was convicted Oct. 26 of misdemeanor battery "causing physical contact in a rude, insulting or angry manner," said he stopped the 6-year-old's Big Wheel with his foot Aug. 30, 2008, and redirected the child's vehicle, The Topeka Capital-Journal reported Thursday.

However, Jennifer Kimball, the boy's mother, said Bogan kicked the front wheel of her son's Big Wheel, causing the plastic tricycle to jerk off the sidewalk and leave the boy with a bruise on his arm and a scratch on his hand.

Bogan characterized the incident as "self defense" against children disobeying Huntington Condominium Association rules by riding bikes on the sidewalk.

"I thought it was the American way to tell someone if you're breaking the rule," Bogan said.

Bogan, who said he parted ways with his attorney after his trial, is due to be sentenced Friday in Municipal Court. He could face as long as six months in jail and a fine of as much as $1,000.