Sunderland Teenager Jailed Six Years for Fatal Electric Motorbike Collision, Cannabis Use
A teenager has been detained for six years and nine months after causing the death of a grandmother in Sunderland with an illegal electric motorbike. Billy Stokoe, 18 at the time of the incident in May 2025, admitted to causing death by dangerous driving.
Newcastle Crown Court heard that Stokoe had cannabis in his system and was operating his mobile phone when he collided with Gloria Stephenson, 86, as she used a zebra crossing on Burdon Road. After striking Ms Stephenson, Stokoe, clad in a balaclava, was seen on dashcam footage to look at his victim lying in the road before remounting his motorbike and riding away.
Ms Stephenson, a mother of four and grandmother to thirteen, was walking a family dog when the incident occurred around 13:00 BST. While traffic on one side of the crossing halted for her, Stokoe drove his off-road electric motorbike directly into her, making no attempt to brake or swerve. Paramedics confirmed Ms Stephenson died at the scene.
Stokoe subsequently discarded the motorbike at a friend's residence and changed his clothes before his mother took him to a police station. Tests revealed he was three times over the driving limit for cannabis. CCTV evidence presented in court showed Stokoe using his mobile phone for at least half a mile prior to the collision. The motorbike itself was in poor condition, with its sole brake lever located on the left handle, the same side Stokoe was observed holding his phone.
Ms Stephenson's daughters described their mother as resilient, courageous, and full of a 'zest for life'. They conveyed 'overwhelming righteous anger' at Stokoe's actions, particularly his alleged lack of remorse and his reported attendance at football matches and holiday planning shortly after their mother's death. Judge Robert Adams stated that Stokoe would 'have to live with what he had done for the rest of his life'. Stokoe has also been banned from driving for eight years, four months, and two weeks, and must pass an extended test.
