The family of an 86-year-old woman killed by a teenager on an illegal e-bike has condemned the sentence as an 'insult', saying the judge 'failed' to send a strong message. Gloria Stephenson was struck down on a zebra crossing in Sunderland last May by Billy Stokoe, then 18, who was under the influence of cannabis and using a mobile phone while riding the machine.
Stokoe, now 19, was jailed for six years and nine months at Newcastle Crown Court after admitting causing death by dangerous driving. However, the Crown Prosecution Service is appealing the sentence under the unduly lenient scheme, a move welcomed by the family.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, the victim's daughter Julie Francis said Stokoe would serve only half the term in prison, with the remainder on licence, and described the conditions as merely 'keep out of trouble'. She added: 'That's how normal people behave. We obey the law, so I don't think that's part of his punishment at all.'
Ms Francis criticised the lack of enforcement of laws against illegal e-bikes, saying: 'The law does say it's illegal, the law is there, it's just it's not being enforced. And then the judge had an opportunity to send a really strong message, and in our view he failed to do that.'
Paying tribute to her mother, Ms Francis described her as 'an extraordinary woman' who was 'very fit, healthy, really strong, an independent role model'. The court heard that Stokoe, who has an IQ of 66 and ADHD, expressed remorse, saying: 'I will forever be sorry and I don't expect to ever be forgiven.'
