A teenager has been sentenced to six years and nine months in prison after fatally striking an 86-year-old woman with a defective e-bike while under the influence of cannabis. Billy Stokoe, 19, collided with Gloria Stephenson at a zebra crossing in Sunderland on May 16 last year, causing catastrophic injuries that led to her death.
The Incident
Footage captured the moment Stokoe, who had been riding with his mobile phone in his left hand, hit Mrs Stephenson as she crossed Burdon Road. The pensioner was thrown to the ground, suffering multiple broken bones and a torn heart wall. Instead of stopping to help, Stokoe retrieved his bike, looked down at the victim, and fled the scene. He hid the bike at a friend's home and changed clothes before returning to his own residence.
Surrender and Remorse
Just over an hour after the crash, Stokoe's mother drove him to the police station to hand himself in. While being read his rights, he broke down in tears and asked, 'Is she dead?' In court, Judge Robert Adams noted Stokoe's remorse, citing a letter he wrote and his tearful apologies at the scene. However, the victim's family expressed fury at the leniency of the sentence.
Sentence and Reactions
Stokoe was sentenced to six years and nine months, with half to be served in custody. He was also banned from driving for eight years and four months. The judge reduced the sentence from a possible 18 years due to Stokoe's guilty plea and remorse. Mrs Stephenson's daughter, Lisa Tench, told the court, 'I will hate you until my last breath.' The family described the sentence as 'absolutely disgusting' and 'incandescent with rage.'
Background
The e-bike, a Sur-Ron model, was unroadworthy with no front brake and a defective rear brake. Stokoe, who had an IQ of 66 and suffered from ADHD, had been self-medicating with cannabis. He pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving while unlicensed, uninsured, and under the influence of drugs.
