The $6.9 million question: was the sentence too lenient?

The Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed it is appealing the sentence of Billy Stokoe, who was jailed for six years and nine months for causing death by dangerous driving after knocking down and killing 86-year-old Gloria Stephenson on an e-bike.

The pensioner was fit and active and was walking her daughter's dog as she looked to complete her daily 10,000 steps as part of a strict exercise regimen when she was struck by Stokoe, who was high on cannabis and holding his mobile phone in one hand.

Stokoe, of Sunderland, was told by a judge at Newcastle Crown Court last month that he will serve half of his sentence in custody - a total of three years and four months.

A spokesperson for the Attorney General's Office said: 'We have received multiple requests for Billy Stokoe's sentence to be considered under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.'

The law officers have 28 days from sentencing to carefully consider the case and make a decision.

Stokoe's family has expressed outrage at the sentence,with one of Gloria Stephenson's daughters, Julie Francis, appearing on BBC Breakfast and saying that the terms of Stokoe's licence will be to 'keep out of trouble' when he is released from prison.

Ms Francis said: '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.'

Ms Francis added that people around the country were aware of the scourge of youths riding e-bikes illegally, and that there were laws to prohibit that.

She said: '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.'

Broader context: a growing concern for road safety

The incident is part of a growing concern for road safety, with many people expressing outrage at the leniency of the sentence.

The use of e-bikes has become increasingly popular in recent years, but there are concerns about the safety of riders and pedestrians.

There have been several high-profile incidents involving e-bikes in the past year, including a crash in London that killed a 14-year-old boy.

The incident has sparked a wider debate about road safety and the need for stricter laws and enforcement.

Open questions: what led to the leniency of the sentence?

One of the most pressing questions is what led to the leniency of the sentence.

Was it the fact that Stokoe showed remorse and handed himself in to the police an hour and a quarter after the crash?

Or was it the fact that he had shown a guilty plea , which reduced the sentence by a quarter?

The Attorney General's Office has said that it will carefully consider the case and make a decision within 28 days.

What's next for Stokoe?

Stokoe will serve three years and four months in custody, but what will happen to him when he is released from prison?

Will he be able to keep out of trouble, as his licence terms suggest?

Or will he continue to cause harm to others on the roads?