The ongoing battle for justice for 'much-loved' Sunderland pensioner killed by e-bike rider Billy Stokoe

On Monday (June 8) the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed it was appealing the sentence of E-bike killer Billy Stokoe under the unduly lenient scheme.

Billy Stokoe, who was 18 at the time of the incident, was last month (May) sentenced to six years and nine months in prison after he admitted causing death by dangerous driving after colliding with Gloria on an illegally ridden Sur-Ron e-bike.

As Gloria’s family battle to get justice for the much loved mother and grandmother, we look at the key events leading up to the appeal and where the current legal situation stands.

What happened and where?

Much-loved mother and grandmother Gloria Stephenson, 86, was killed by 19-year-old Billy Stokoe while walking her daughter’s dog across Burdon Road, in Silksworth, at 12.50pm on May 16 last year (2025).

Gloria stepped out on the zebra crossing where she was hit by Billy and the Sur-Ron bike he was riding. Whilst passers-by tended to Gloria and called for emergency services, Billy was seen fleeing the scene on his illegally ridded e-bike - an action later labelled by Gloria’s family as “cowardly”.

Tragically, Gloria passed away at the scene. CCTV footage later captured Billy hiding the bike in a garden and removing some of the clothes he had worn.

The moments leading up to the collision

Footage shown to the Echo in the moments leading up to the collision with Gloria showed Stokoe illegally riding on the roads at speed between traffic, without a helmet, taking his hands off the handlebars, and using his mobile phone.

He was also found to be under the influence of cannabis at the time he was riding the e-bike.

Speaking to the Echo, superintendent Billy Mulligan, who led the investigation described the situation as “an accident waiting to happen”.

He added: “This was in the middle of the day, the risk was huge, and you could almost predict what was going to happen. 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.”

Stokoe arrested and charged

Following the incident, Northumbria Police released footage of the incident as part of an appeal, including when Stokoe lifts up his balaclava, to reveal his face.

Superintendent Billy Mulligan told the Echo the appeal was seen by Stokoe’s mother who “told her son to do the right thing and hand himself in”, before driving him to the police station, where he was arrested.

Stokoe was charged with causing death by dangerous driving, drug driving, driving without a licence, driving without insurance and failing to stop after an accident.

On January 6, Stokoe appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates Court where the case was referred to Newcastle Crown Court. He was granted unconditional bail.

When did Stokoe admit his guilt?

During an appearance at Newcastle Crown Court on February 19, Stokoe pleaded guilty to causing death by driving an unregistered electric motorcycle dangerously and causing death while driving with no licence and uninsured.

What was said at Stokoe’s sentencing?

Stokoe, who was now 19, returned to Newcastle Crown Court on May 15 (2026) where he was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison.

Passing sentence, Judge Robert Adams said he had seen evidence of the teenager’s regret and sorrow.

Helen Towers, defending, said Stokoe was remorseful and had said: “I will forever be sorry and I don’t expect to ever be forgiven. I wish more than anything that I could change it all.”

Speaking in court, Gloria’s eldest daughter, Julie Francis, said: “You drove off and left our beautiful, clever, courageous mam to die at the side of the road like she was a piece of rubbish in the gutter.

“Our grief and anger, our righteous anger, is overwhelming. And this anger has been compounded by your total lack of remorse.

“You killed our Mam on the May 16, almost immediately you applied to have your bail restrictions removed, once to watch Sunderland play at Wembley on the 24th May and then to travel abroad for a holiday.

“How could you kill our mam and then even think about football or holidays? What type of person are you?”

What was said about the length of sentence?

Having previously described the “scourge on society” of youngsters riding illegal e-bikes on our streets, Gloria’s eldest daughter Julie labelled the sentence passed by the judge as “failing to send the right message”.

She added: “Stokoe will serve half of that term in prison, with the rest on licence, the terms of which will be to keep out of trouble. But that’s how we live our lives, isn’t it? That’s how normal people behave. We obey the law, so I don’t think that’s part of his punishment at all.

“The law does say it’s illegal, the law is there, it’s just it’s not being enforced. And then the judge had an opportunity to send a really strong message, and in our view he failed to do that.”

Former deputy commander of Sunderland policing, Michael Hartnack, branded the sentence a “disgrace” and said it provides “little deterrent” to other illegal electric bike and scooter riders.

He added: “I had known Gloria Stephenson all my life and her family must be incensed by this disgraceful sentence - it’s appalling.

“I’ve long been campaigning about these e-bikes and scooters which you see around the city reaching speeds of 30mph. This sentence will do nothing to deter these kids and it just makes the job of the police more difficult.”

What happens next?

On Monday (June 8) the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed it is officially appealing the sentence under the unduly lenient scheme.

The case will now be assessed by the Attorney General or Solicitor General. If they determine the sentence falls significantly below the range a judge could reasonably issue, they will refer it to the Court of Appeal, where the sentence can legally be increased.

Any images and footage used in this article were provided by Northumbria Police with the blessing of Gloria’s family.