IT has been a year since a teenager was killed in a crash in Reading.
Sheldon Lewcock was 19-years-old when he was involved in a collision in Pierces Hill on August 4 last year. He sadly passed away on August 9.
People were charged on suspicion of attempted murder but these were later dropped.
Ryan Willicombe, 18, from Newbury, has been charged with driving a vehicle involved in a road accident and failing to report that accident as well as one count of driving without third-party insurance.
The charge reads that he was driving a Vauxhall Vivaro Van on August 4, 2022 on Pierce’s Hill when ‘an accident occurred whereby personal injury was caused to another person and damage was caused to another vehicle’.
Willicombe could be charged with death by dangerous driving but nothing has yet been confirmed.
On the anniversary of Sheldon's death, his family laid flowers and released blue balloons in memory.
Here is everything we know so far:
August 4, 2022: Mr Lewcock is riding an electric on Pierces Hill when he was involved in collision with a van at about 6pm.
August 4, 2022: A ‘linked’ incident occurred later that day where two teenage girls were assaulted in Southcote at about 6.10pm
August 5, 2022: Four people were arrested in connection with the case. Two men, aged 18 and 20, and a 17-year-old boy, all from Reading, were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and a 38-year-old man from Reading was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
August 9, 2022: The 19-year-old Mr Lewcock sadly passed away in hospital and a murder investigation is launched.
Read a family tribute to Mr Lewcock here.
August 17, 2022: Three men and a boy acquitted of any charges. The investigation is moved into the hands of the Joint Operations Roads Policing Serious Collision Investigation Unit.
August 18, 2022: More than £1,300 is raised on a Go Fund Me in the memory of Mr Lewcock.
Read more about the fundraising here.
August 24, 2022: Kayden Williams, 18, of Don Close, Tilehurst, appears in court accused of assaulting two teenage girls in the ‘linked’ case.
August 26, 2022: A fresh appeal is launched by police for answers.
January 15, 2023: Protesters storm Reading Police Station with signs reading ‘Justice for Sheldon.’
Read more about the protest here.
January 20, 2023: Mrs Lewcock presses for answers as investigation goes quiet.
January 21, 2023: Police release a statement five months on saying they are continuing to investigate the incident and the actions taken by the driver of the van.
January 25, 2023: A codeword used by police to give the family access to their dying son in hospital was racist, said Sheldon's mother Angela Lewcock. While Mr Lewcock - who was mixed race - was in hospital police gave his mother the codeword "banana" for when she wanted to visit.
Talking to the BBC, she said: "To visit my son he had a password, which was banana, which I didn't really think much of it at the time and it wasn't until after I realised that it was probably a racist comment. It's disgusting."
February 24, 2023: Mr Williams is found guilty of assault at Reading Crown Court in the case 'linked' to the collision incident. He was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent after a three-day trial but found not guilty of using a weapon – namely a knuckle duster. He previously pleaded guilty to one count of causing grievous bodily harm and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Read more about the sentencing here.
March 2023: Police confirmed to The Reading Chronicle that there are no updates in the investigation.
There are no current arrests in relation to the collision investigation.
May 3, 2023: Driver appears in court charged with driving a vehicle involved in a road accident and failing to report that accident as well as one count of driving without third-party insurance.
Read more about this here.
June 14, 2023: Willicombe's case is adjourned as he could face a more serious charge
Read more about this here.
Willicombe is now due back in court on September 5.
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