E-bikes & E-scooters: The Cautionary Tale of Billy & Gloria

Warning: This article contains distressing content.

This isn't a local story, but one that needs to serve as a cautionary tale for local people regarding the use of e-bikes and e-scooters.

Scooter seized by Staffordshire Moorlands Police recently without consequences to the rider.

May 2025 saw a Sunderland teenager, Billy Stokoe, 18, make a choice that would change the course not only of his own life but that of an entire family forever. Billy was known to ride his e-bike dangerously and at speed around the city of Sunderland. He covered his face, restricting his vision and concealing his identity. He smoked cannabis while riding; his bike only had one brake, and he used the hand needed to operate it to use his mobile phone.

Billy didn't try to stop or swerve when 86-year-old Gloria Stephenson, who had a large loving family, was crossing the zebra crossing Billy was approaching. His action caused both himself, his bike, and Gloria to hit the ground. Billy was uninjured, but Gloria suffered a leg injury and a cardiac arrest; she died where she fell. Other vehicle occupants and passersby tried to help but couldn't save her.

Billy collected his bike and mobile phone and went back to where Gloria lay before taking off in the direction he came from, where he tried to hide his bike and changed his clothes. Some time later, Billy confessed and was arrested.

Twelve months later, police amassed a picture from CCTV and dashcam footage to secure a conviction for Billy to serve 6 years in prison and an 8-year driving ban. Gloria is dead, her 4 daughters, 13 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren did not have the opportunity to prepare or say goodbye; each will feel that loss. The family is angry that their loss is not sending a message to other riders.

In the footage, Billy is clearly upset but did try to conceal his crime. Knowing that his selfishness and thoughtlessness caused someone to die will stay with him for the rest of his life. Rehabilitating will be hard; finding work and making a good life for himself will be hard.

We're urging Staffordshire Moorlands youngsters to learn from Billy's actions. Ditch the bike—it's a bad choice; instead, help to campaign for better transport for youngsters and safer streets for our grandparents. In time, the laws around e-bikes and scooters may change, but there is much to do first to make them safe.

Not convinced?

If you watch the coverage of the crash, you'll see that there is a bus traveling towards Billy a few moments later, and a couple of feet to the right, and Billy would have hit the bus head-on. Riding illegally is not worth the risk to you, your family, or your future.

What Next?

We're asking Police & Fire Commissioner Ben Adams if he'll consider setting up a month-long bike amnesty, an opportunity for Staffordshire Moorlands youngsters to surrender their e-bikes and scooters without consequence. Will you join our campaign?

Tell us below, and if you want to see evidence that Staffordshire police are already doing this, take a look at this article. https://www.cheadlecog.com/post/e-scooter-update

Would you like to see the end of Illegal e-bikes and e-scooters on our roads and pavements?

• Yes
• No

E-bikes & E-scooters: The Cautionary Tale of Billy & Gloria - created 17th May 2026