Teenage e-bike rider jailed for six years after ramming into great-grandmother, 86, before leaving her for dead

A teenager who struck and killed an 86-year-old woman while riding an illegal electric motorbike has been sentenced to six years and nine months in youth detention.

Billy Stokoe was under the influence of cannabis and distracted by his mobile phone when he collided with Gloria Stephenson as she crossed at a zebra crossing in Sunderland, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

The 18-year-old, who had pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, was wearing a balaclava when he drove into the pensioner on Burdon Road in May 2025.

Dashcam footage captured Stokoe being thrown from his vehicle before looking at his victim lying on the ground and then fleeing the scene, leaving the mother of four to die.

Ms Stephenson had been walking a family dog when she stepped onto the pedestrian crossing on Burdon Road at approximately 1pm on May 16, prosecutor Michael Bunch told the court.

Vehicles travelling in one direction had stopped to allow her safe passage, but Stokoe drove his off-road electric motorbike directly into her without attempting to brake or avoid the collision, the court heard.

The bike was not road legal and was in poor condition, with the only functioning brake lever positioned on the left handlebar, the same side where Stokoe was holding his phone.

CCTV evidence showed he had been using the device for at least half a mile before the fatal impact.

Bystanders rushed to help the stricken pensioner, but paramedics confirmed she had died at the scene.

Speaking outside the court, the victim's eldest daughter Julie Francis said the family were "absolutely furious and so disappointed" at the sentence.

"He killed our mam, he left the scene," she said. "He tried to hide the evidence and he has shown no remorse."

The family had hoped for a lengthier term to send a message about illegal bikes, Ms Francis added.

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In her victim impact statement, she described her mother as "glamorous Gloria" — a resilient woman who had enjoyed a successful NHS career and been widowed three times.

Ms Francis condemned Stokoe as "selfish" for attending a Sunderland match at Wembley just eight days after the fatal collision and subsequently applying to amend his bail conditions for a foreign holiday.

"At a time when we were paralysed by grief, you were just carrying on with your life," she told him.

Another daughter told the court her mother had made the "sensible" decision to use the crossing but "did not stand a chance" because of Stokoe's actions.

"You have no moral compass," she said. "I will hate you until my last breath."

Judge Robert Adams acknowledged that Stokoe had not intended to cause harm that day, but stated he had caused the death of a "much-loved lady" and would carry the consequences for the remainder of his life.

The judge noted that Stokoe's family had claimed he was remorseful and devastated by what happened — a stark contrast to the victim's relatives' assertions.

In addition to his custodial sentence, Stokoe received a driving ban of eight years, four months and two weeks, and must pass an extended driving test.

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