The family of an 86-year-old grandmother killed by a teenager riding an illegal e-bike while under the influence of cannabis has condemned his sentence as an 'insult' and is demanding tougher laws.
Teenager Sentenced for Fatal Collision
Billy Stokoe, 18, was sentenced to six years and nine months in youth detention for causing the death of Gloria Stephenson. The incident occurred at a zebra crossing in Sunderland on May 16 last year. Dashcam footage captured Stokoe falling from the e-bike after colliding with Ms Stephenson, who was walking her daughter's dog. He then retrieved the bike and fled the scene, leaving her motionless on the ground.
The e-bike, purchased on Facebook Marketplace, was in poor condition, not road legal, and prohibited from public highways. Stokoe was also using a mobile phone while driving and was three times over the legal limit for cannabis. He pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving at Newcastle Crown Court, avoiding the maximum term of 18 years. He was also disqualified from driving for eight years.
Family's Outrage at Lenient Sentence
Ms Stephenson's daughter, Julie Francis, a retired teacher, expressed fury at the sentencing. 'Nothing is ever going to bring our mum back – we recognise that. But does the judge really think her life is worth just three years, four months, and two weeks in jail? He'll serve half of his sentence in jail and then he'll be let out. I feel it's an absolute insult to our mum; to the whole of our family.'
Ms Francis, who appeared on Good Morning Britain, said the family has been unable to grieve due to the distress caused by the sentencing. 'Some days, the anger consumes you – the thought of our mum being killed in the way she was and then just left to die at the side of the road. He drove off and left her.'
Details of the Incident
Ms Stephenson, a retired domestic services manager at Sunderland Royal Hospital, was crossing the zebra crossing at around 1pm. Stokoe's bike was in poor condition, and he had been riding with his mobile phone in his left hand for half a mile before the collision. After fleeing, he hid the bike at a friend's house and changed clothes. His mother drove him to a police station just over an hour later to turn himself in.
Ms Stephenson suffered severe injuries and died at the scene. One of her daughters arrived within minutes. 'The irony of it is she'd gone out of her way to use the zebra crossing, thinking that was the safest way to cross the road,' Ms Francis said.
Lack of Remorse
Stokoe's behaviour after the incident also angered the family. Just 10 days after his arrest, he asked police to alter his bail conditions to watch Sunderland in the Championship play-off final and later sought permission for a pre-paid foreign holiday. Ms Francis said this shows 'no remorse' for the incident. 'The judge said he felt Stokoe had shown remorse, but we know differently. He applied for a change to his bail days after he killed our mother so that he could go to Wembley to watch Sunderland. He was posting messages on social media looking for tickets to a Halloween party. That shows no remorse.'
Calls for Tighter Regulations
The family is urging stronger measures to combat illegal e-bike use. Ms Francis suggested mandatory registration with the DVLA and numberplates for all e-bikes. 'I think if there was a stronger deterrent, maybe people wouldn't do it in the first place.' She also called on parents to take responsibility, noting that Stokoe's family knew he had purchased the unsafe bike. 'Neighbours must see these young people leaving their homes on these illegal bikes with their faces covered in balaclavas – ring the police. But this message should have come from the judge. He had a chance to give these people a really strong message, much more meaningful than anything I could say, but he's missed an opportunity – and that's the saddest and most infuriating thing.'
