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E-bike teen 'killed OAP while speeding on mobile phone'

Billy Stokoe, 19, is accused of causing the death of Gloria Stephenson, 86, by dangerous driving in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear. He is alleged to have been speeding and on a mobile phone

[Billy Stokoe with face concealed by hooded jacket]

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Billy Stokoe, 19, leaving court today(Image: Jeremy Armstrong / Daily Mirror)

A teenager killed a pensioner on a Zebra crossing after he hit her on his electric bike while speeding and making a mobile phone call, a court heard today.

Billy Stokoe, 19, stood accused of causing the death of Gloria Stephenson, 86, by dangerous driving. The 'beautiful, intelligent' great grandmother was with her daughter and grandson when she died at the scene in her hometown of Sunderland, Tyne and Wear last May.

Her family members were at South Tyneside magistrates court which heard Stokoe was on his mobile phone at the time of the collision which was captured on the dashcam footage of a passing motorist.

[Gloria Stephenson shown in a photo released by her family.]

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Gloria Stephenson, 86, died at the scene of the incident last May(Image: PA)

Stokoe, dressed in a blue suit, white shirt and dark tie, spoke only to confirm his name, age and that he was of no fixed abode, covering his face as he left court.

He faced separate charges in relation to causing death by driving without due care/consideration while over the limit of a controlled drug, a cannabis compound, causing death by driving unlicensed, and causing death by driving a vehicle uninsured.

He also faced charges of failing to stop after a road accident, and failing to wear protective headgear.

Chike Anieto, prosecuting, said: "On May 16 2025, the defendant was riding a Sur-ron electric bike in Sunderland at around 2.50 pm and collided with Gloria Stephenson, an 86-year-old woman who was crossing the road on a Zebra crossing.

[Billy Stokoe covered his face as he left court.]

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Billy Stokoe leaving court today(Image: Jeremy Armstrong / Daily Mirror)

"The collision was fatal and led to her death. It was captured on dashcam footage which showed the defendant did not slow down for the crossing and collided directly with Gloria Stephenson.

"There was witness evidence to say that he was speeding and holding his mobile phone. There were a total of six witnesses in the area and the police have done intensive forensic examination, and there is a post mortem report.

"At this stage, the matter should be sent to the crown court." He added that the offence of causing death by dangerous driving carried a maximum life sentence with a range of up to 18 years. Stokoe is due to appear at Newcastle crown court on Feb 4.

In a statement following the tragedy, Gloria Stephenson's family said: "It is with great sadness that our amazing mam, Gloria Stephenson, was tragically killed on May 16.

"We are all devastated at the loss of our vibrant, active, beautiful, and intelligent mam, grandma, mother-in-law and great grandma. The press described her as an 'elderly lady'; however, we want to make absolutely clear that our mam was full of life.

"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. The family want to express their heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported mam, and her daughter and grandson at the scene."

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