'An accident waiting to happen' says detective after teenage E-bike killer jailed over death of grandmother
“It was at a time when the road was busy and you can say it was an accident waiting to happen”
The detective who led the investigation into the death of 86-year-old Gloria Stephenson, killed when she was hit by an electric motorbike driven by Billy Stokoe, said the risk being taken by the teenager leading up to the collision was “absolutely huge” and “you could almost predict what was going to happen”.
Much-loved mother and grandmother Gloria was making her way across a zebra crossing in Burdon Road, Sunderland, when she was hit by Stokoe, who was illegally riding a Sur-Ron electric bike.
In February this year (2026), Stokoe admitted causing death by driving an unregistered electric motorcycle dangerously.
He also admitted causing death while driving without a licence or insurance.
Today (May 15) he returned to Newcastle Crown Court where he was sentenced to six years and nine months in jail.
Speaking about the moments leading up to the collision, Superintendent Billy Mulligan, who led the investigation, said: “In the hours leading up to the incident, Billy could be seen riding the vehicle without using his hands.
“He was riding using his mobile phone, at speed, weaving in and out of traffic, without a helmet. This was in the middle of the day, the risk was huge, and you could almost predict what was going to happen.
“It was at a time when the road was busy and you can say it was an accident waiting to happen.”
Supt Mulligan said in the moments before Stokoe collided with Gloria, he had been “using his mobile phone in his left hand, the hand he would need to operate the brake”.
He also confirmed Billy had been charged with being “under the influence of a substance” at the time of the collision.
He added: “Billy had been looking at messages while riding and his mobile phone was in his left hand for the entire journey. The left hand is what operates the brake handle.
“As Gloria is walking across the crossing, Billy has collided with her. Immediately after the collision, you can see Billy gets up and the first thing he does is go back to his bike. He turns away, but then comes back. There’s then that immediate reaction where he realises what he has done.
“Whilst members of the public are paying assistance to Gloria and emergency services have been called, Billy gets back on the Sur-Ron and makes his escape, leaving the area.”
Supt Mulligan said CCTV footage then picked up Stokoe hiding the bike in the garden of an “associate’s house” and removing items of his clothing in a “bid to cover up what has happened”.
He added: “Billy then walks away from that address as if nothing has happened.”
Gloria, from Silksworth, tragically died at the scene.
Following Gloria’s death her family released a tribute, which said: “It’s with great sadness that our amazing mam, Gloria Stephenson, was tragically killed.
“We are all devastated at the loss of our vibrant, active, beautiful, and intelligent mam, grandma, mother-in-law and great grandma.
“She was active, fit, healthy, and had years left to give her love and share her energy and zest for life with everyone who knew her.”
Video footage was provided by Northumbria Police with the permission and blessing of the victim’s family.