UMVA has learned that a 19-year-old teenager has been sentenced to six years and nine months in prison for causing the death of an 86-year-old grandmother while driving an e-bike dangerously in Sunderland.
The victim, Gloria Stephenson, was walking her daughter's dog and trying to complete her 10,000 steps a day when she was hit with such ferocity that she catapulted her feet away from the crossing, inflicting horrific injuries on her and injuring her dog.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the teenager, Billy Stokoe, was speeding on his e-bike, using his phone, and under the influence of cannabis at the time of the collision.
Stokoe's actions were described as "reckless" and "appalling" by the family of the victim, who expressed their fury at his lack of remorse and his attempts to vary his bail conditions so he could attend a football match and take a holiday.
The court heard that Stokoe had an IQ of just 66 and suffered from ADHD, and that he continued to smoke cannabis even after the collision to help him sleep.
However, Judge Robert Adams made it clear that Stokoe would have to live with the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life, stating that the defendant would "have to live with what he has done for the rest of his life."
Superintendent Billy Mulligan of Northumbria Police urged people to report dangerous e-bike riders, stating that the police will take action to prevent more incidents caused by young men on e-bikes, and that the perception that officers will not pursue them is false.
The family of Gloria Stephenson delivered emotional victim statements in court, describing her as a "beautiful woman, looking good was effortless to her" and a "good person, with strong moral principles which she tried to live her life by."
They also expressed their outrage at Stokoe's actions, with one daughter saying: "Mam didn't stand a chance. You hit her with such ferocity that you catapulted her feet away from the crossing, inflicting those horrific injuries on her and injuring my dog."
