Teen sentenced to 6 years 9 months for death of woman hit by e-bike in Sunderland

An 18-year-old has been sentenced to six years and nine months in youth detention after pleading guilty to causing the death of an 86-year-old woman who was struck and killed by an illegal electric motorbike as she crossed a zebra crossing in Sunderland.

Billy Stokoe, of Sunderland, was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court for causing death by dangerous driving over the collision on Burdon Road on May 16, 2025. Prosecutors told the court that Stokoe was under the influence of cannabis and was using a mobile phone with his left hand, the same side as the bike’s only functioning brake lever. Dashcam and CCTV evidence described him riding the unregistered SurRon off-road electric motorbike in poor condition and without attempting to brake or otherwise avoid the impact as Gloria Stephenson stepped onto the crossing at about 1pm while walking a family dog.

The court heard that vehicles travelling in one direction had stopped to let her cross. Stokoe instead drove into her and then fled the scene after being thrown from the vehicle. Bystanders and passersby rushed to help, but paramedics confirmed she died at the location.

Investigators later reconstructed Stokoe’s movements using video...