A 19-year-old man has been sentenced to nearly seven years in prison for causing the death of an 86-year-old woman in a collision involving an illegal electric bike. Billy Stokoe was also disqualified from driving for over eight years following the fatal incident in Sunderland on May 16, 2025.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that Gloria Stephenson was crossing a zebra crossing with her daughter’s dog when she was struck by Stokoe, who was riding an uninsured e-bike with only the left brake working. Stokoe was over the legal cannabis limit and held his mobile phone in his left hand while riding, according to evidence presented in court.

Stephenson, a great-grandmother who had previously managed domestic services for a local health authority, sustained severe leg injuries and suffered cardiac arrest at the scene. She was pronounced dead shortly after the collision. Dashcam footage revealed that Stokoe did not reduce speed or attempt to avoid the pedestrian before impact.

Prosecutor Michael Bunch described the condition of the e-bike, noting that the right-side brake was missing entirely and the vehicle was not street-legal. An expert examination concluded that the bike’s unsafe condition would have been "obvious to a competent rider." After the collision, Stokoe was thrown from the bike but did not stop; instead, he fled the scene to change clothes and conceal the bike at a friend's residence. He later surrendered to police just over an hour after the crash.

Statements from Stephenson’s family highlighted the lasting impact of the tragedy. Her daughter Lisa Tench expressed that her mother had "no chance" and condemned Stokoe for fleeing the scene. Another daughter, Julie Francis, recalled her mother’s vitality and lamented the loss of years she would have otherwise lived.

During sentencing, Stokoe’s defense lawyer revealed he expressed remorse, stating, "I will forever be sorry and I don’t expect to ever be forgiven." A psychological assessment presented to the court found that Stokoe has an IQ of 66 and has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Northumbria Police have called on the public to report reckless e-bike riders to help prevent further incidents on public roads.