Rider Jailed for Hit-and-Run Collision in Sunderland

On Friday, May 16, last year, shortly before 1pm, police were alerted to a collision involving a female pedestrian and an electric motorcycle on the B1286 Burdon Road in Sunderland, near Lidcombe Close. Gloria Stephenson, an 86-year-old woman from the Silksworth area, was out walking her daughter’s dog when she was struck by the rider of a black off-road Sur-Ron Light Bee X electric motorcycle, travelling southbound.

Tragic Outcome and Investigation

Emergency services were swiftly deployed to the scene, where Gloria tragically passed away at the location. An investigation was immediately launched by the Force’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, with a public appeal shared in the aftermath for CCTV, dashcam footage, and witness statements. The incident, which occurred on a busy residential road, raised concerns about the safety of pedestrians and the use of electric vehicles on public roads.

Arrest and Charges

Billy Stokoe, who was 18 at the time, handed himself in at Southwick Police Station less than two hours after leaving Gloria with unsurvivable injuries in the road. Dashcam footage captured the moment he collided with her at speed, before retrieving his bike and mobile phone and fleeing the scene. The footage showed Stokoe holding his phone instead of the brake on his handlebars, highlighting the reckless nature of his actions.

Concealment and Legal Proceedings

CCTV and bus cameras captured his dangerous riding in the run-up to the incident, showing Stokoe holding his phone instead of the brake on his handlebars. He then went on to hide the bike in question – which was not road legal or registered – at a friend’s house and conceal the clothing he was wearing. This deliberate attempt to evade detection underscored the severity of his disregard for the law and public safety.

Victim Impact and Sentencing

Stokoe was arrested and later charged with a string of offences, including causing Gloria’s death by dangerous driving, and the bike was recovered. Stokoe, now 19, of Sunderland, appeared before Newcastle Crown Court in February where he pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by driving a vehicle while unlicensed, and causing death by driving a vehicle while uninsured.

Public Statements and Community Response

Today (Friday), he appeared before the same court where he also admitted causing death by driving without due care/consideration while over the specified limit for THC. A judge sentenced him to six years and nine months in prison, with half to be served in youth detention, and handed him a driving ban of eight years, four months and two weeks, with requirements to sit an extended test in the future. The sentencing reflected the gravity of the crime and the impact on the victim’s family.

Source and Verification

The information in this report is sourced from the Northumbria Police website, which provides details of the case, including the incident timeline, police investigation, and court proceedings. The source can be accessed at https://www.northumbria.police.uk/news/northumbria/news/convictions-and-sentencings/rider-jailed-collision/. The case highlights the dangers posed by unregistered and unlicensed electric vehicles, particularly when operated by young drivers under the influence of substances.