Newbury man jailed over fatal crash that killed teenager in Tilehurst

Ryan Willicombe, aged 19 years, was at the wheel of the grey coloured Vivaro van when he swerved out of his lane towards a group of bikers and hit 19-year-old Sheldon Lewcock head-on, causing him fatal injuries.

The crash occurred on Pierce's Hill in Tilehurst,  at around 6pm on August 4, 2022.

Willicombe, who appeared in the dock dressed in a light-coloured shirt and dark trousers, only spoke to confirm his name before he was sentenced to 10 years and eight months in a young offenders' institution.

Judge Heather Norton, sentencing at Reading Crown Court on Thursday, told the defendant: "Deliberately and unlawfully, you drove the van onto the opposite side of the road and onto the path of the oncoming bikes.

"Sheldon Lewcock was unable to take any avoiding action and was hit by the passenger side of your van.

"The force of the impact caused him to be thrown from his bike. He suffered catastrophic injuries from which he died five days later. He was 19 years old. You yourself were only 17."

Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Unit, a man has been jailed for the manslaughter of Sheldon Lewcock in Tilehurst. (Image: NQ)

During the trial earlier this year, the court had heard how Willicombe had been involved in a dispute with other youths in the group that Sheldon Lewcock was with on the day he was knocked off his bike.

Judge Norton said: "Whatever was going between you and others was not and cannot excuse or lessen the seriousness of your actions.

"What is clear is that the choice that you made that day has had catastrophic consequences for two families: Sheldon Lewcock's - and your own."

Sheldon Lewcock's family, including his mother Angela, attended the sentence hearing yesterday. 

There were disruptions whilst the judge passed sentence as a man who appeared to be Sheldon Lewcock's father, had to be escorted out of the courtroom shouting threats at Ryan Willicombe: "I'll see you Ryan. I'll see you - and your dad. I hope you all sleep f***ing well at night."

A victim impact statement from the victim's mother Angela Lewcock was read out in court by the prosecutor, telling the judge of the "harrowing" moment she received a phone call from her dying son after he was hit by Willicombe.

Mrs Lewcock's statement said: "The last face call I received from my beautiful boy Sheldon will haunt me for the rest of my life.

"It is every mother's worst nightmare but to receive a  call from your child who is covered in blood, calling out to you whilst you do not know where he is, is both harrowing and traumatic.

"Ryan does not think of me and my family and has not since he hit my son and left him for dead."

Willicombe was convicted of manslaughter on May 8 this year following a trial at Reading Crown Court, after being at the wheel of his father's van which hit 19-year-old Sheldon Lewcock head-on.

The jury members took 23 hours and 40 minutes to deliver their verdicts, with one member of the jury crying on the final occasion when entering the courtroom.

During the trial, prosecutor Philip Evans spoke of the collision with 19-year-old Sheldon Lewcock, saying: "His body was thrown 30 metres from the point of the collision and Mr Willicombe drove right over the top of the bike.

"Sheldon's injuries were catastrophic and despite medical attention, he died in hospital five days later. on August 9, 2022."

The jury at Reading Crown Court was told that Willicombe, aged 19 years, did not stop the van following the collision and drove instead to the car park of a nearby Co-op food store.

Mr Evans told the jury: "The bumper of the van was hanging off and it was there that Willicombe abandoned the van.

"He left the area of the Co-op and fled to his grandfather's home in South Wales where the police tracked him down the next day.

"They found him hiding in a cupboard."

Mr Evans added: "He collided with Sheldon Lewcock head-on and went straight over the top of his bike, immediately after the collision has taken place.

Questioned by his barrister Paul Bogan during the lengthy trial, Willicombe told the jury he feels "awful" about Mr Lewcock's death.

Willicombe, who was aged just 17 years when the incident happened, said: "I think about it quite often - I regret it.

"I think about his family and what they are going through. I think what I feel now is nothing compared with what they must feel."

Mr Bogan asked the defendant about gloating messages he sent to friends about Mr Lewcock shortly after the crash, which said: "Hopefully Sheldon dies" and "Hopefully he paralysed."

Willicombe said in court: "I was angry and upset. I didn't really want him paralysed or dead."

Willicombe, of Home Straight in Newbury, was acquitted of murdering Sheldon Lewcock but unanimously convicted of manslaughter.

The teenager admitted other charges of causing death by dangerous driving, as well as possession of class A drugs, namely cocaine and heroin, with intent to supply.

Judge Norton told the court she was required to sentence Willicombe based on his age at the time of the offence, which was 17.

This means Willicombe will serve his sentence of 10 years and eight months in a young offenders' institution instead of an adult prison.

He was also disqualified from driving for 12 and a half years.