**
In a harrowing incident that has shaken the Sunderland community, 19-year-old Billy Stokoe has been sentenced to six years and nine months in prison following a tragic collision that claimed the life of an 86-year-old woman. Stokoe, who was riding an illegal and defective e-bike while under the influence of cannabis, struck Gloria Stephenson as she crossed the road on 16 May 2025. Instead of stopping to assist the victim, the teenager fled the scene, leading to outrage from the victim’s family and the wider public.
The Incident and Immediate Aftermath
On that fateful day, Gloria Stephenson was out walking her daughter’s dog, diligently working towards her goal of completing 10,000 steps. The court heard that Stokoe was riding his Sur-Ron e-bike, which was not only uninsured but also lacked a functional right brake. Dashcam footage revealed Stokoe holding his mobile phone in his left hand, leaving only the left brake operational. Witnesses noted that Stokoe showed no sign of slowing down as he approached the zebra crossing, where Mrs. Stephenson had waited for traffic to halt.
The impact of the collision was devastating, propelling Mrs. Stephenson onto the road and inflicting severe injuries that ultimately led to her death at the scene. Despite efforts from air ambulance paramedics, she succumbed to a serious leg injury and cardiac arrest. Stokoe, upon being thrown from the bike, chose to evade responsibility
