Overview
- An e-bike ridden by then-18-year-old Billy Stokoe struck and killed 86-year-old Gloria Stephenson on a zebra crossing in Sunderland last May while she walked her daughter’s dog.
- Stokoe pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was jailed for six years and nine months last month with half the term to be served in custody and the rest on licence.
- The Crown Prosecution Service has referred the sentence to the Attorney General under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme and begun an appeal seeking a longer term.
- Court evidence shown at trial included footage of reckless riding, police reports that Stokoe was under the influence of cannabis and holding a phone, and testing that the e-bike’s brakes were defective, and it was reported he fled the scene.
- Defence material presented a psychological report saying Stokoe has ADHD and an IQ of 66 and the family have criticised the sentence while calling for better enforcement of laws on illegal and modified e-bikes.