Family of grandmother killed by illegal e-bike rider says judge ‘failed to send message’ in teen’s lenient sentencing

The daughter of the 86-year-old woman killed in a pedestrian crossing by a teenager using an illegal e-bike has said the judge who sentenced her “failed” to send the right message.

The Crown Prosecution Service is appealing under the overly lenient scheme against the sentence handed down to Billy Stokoe, who was 18 when he collided with great-grandmother Gloria Stephenson and left her to die in agony at the scene.

Stokoe was under the influence of cannabis and as he got into the machine with his phone in hand, he knocked out the fit pensioner, who was walking his daughter’s dog and completing 10,000 steps a day, in Sunderland last May.

The e-bike’s brakes were also faulty.

Last month, Stokoe, 19, was jailed for six years and nine months by a Newcastle Crown Court judge, who admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

Following the sentencing, Ms Stephenson’s family said they were devastated by the length of her prison sentence.

Julie Francis, one of his four daughters, appeared on BBC Breakfast on Monday and said Stokoe would spend half of that time in prison, with the remainder served on license as long as he “stays out of trouble”.

He said: “But that’s how we live our lives, isn’t it?

“That’s how normal people act. We follow the law, so I don’t think this is part of his punishment.”

Ms Francis said people across the country were aware of the scourge of young people riding e-bikes illegally and there were laws prohibiting it.

He added: “The law says it is illegal, the law exists but it is not enforced.

“Then the judge had an opportunity to send a really strong message, and in our opinion, he failed to do that.”

Remembering his mother, he said: “She was an extraordinary woman, she did not look her age, she did not act her age.

“She was a very intelligent woman, loved reading and gardening.

“He was very fit, healthy, really strong and an independent role model.

“You know, he was a really positive member of the community.

“And now he’s gone. Everyone is devastated.”

Sentencing last month, Judge Robert Adams said he saw evidence of the teenager’s remorse and distress.

Helen Towers, defending, said Stokoe was remorseful and said: “I will regret it forever and I never expect to be forgiven.

“I wish more than anything that I could change everything.”

A psychological assessment revealed Stokoe’s IQ was 66 and the court heard he suffered from ADHD.

A CPS spokesman confirmed an appeal was under way under the overly lenient scheme.