A teenager has been jailed for 10 years for the manslaughter of Sheldon Lewcock in Tilehurst.

Ryan Willicombe, aged 19, of Home Straight, Newbury, was sentenced to a total of 10 years and eight months in a young offenders institution at Reading Crown Court yesterday Thursday, September 19.

At approximately 6.10 pm on August 4, 2022, 19-year-old Sheldon and Kayden were riding e-bikes on Pierces Hill, when a van, driven by Willicombe, was on the wrong side of the road, and hit Sheldon.

Sheldon was taken to hospital, where sadly he died five days later.

Willicombe was arrested the following day and following a thorough investigation was formally charged on 27 September 2023.

Willicombe denies murder, claiming that he ran into Mr Lewcock by accident.

The prosecution in the case alleged that Willicombe had been involved in a dispute with Mr Lewcock and his associates, and that he drove the van into him intentionally.

He was sentenced to eight years and eight months for the manslaughter of Sheldon Lewcock, and two years for being concerned in the supply of crack and cocaine to run concurrently.

He was also disqualified from driving for 12 years and six months and was ordered to forfeit the drugs and mobile phone found on him.

Willicombe was convicted by a unanimous jury verdict of manslaughter, at the same court, on May 8. He previously pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving.

The jury found Willicombe not guilty of the murder of Sheldon, and attempted GBH of Kayden Williams.

On 24 July 2023, Willicombe was convicted of two counts of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, after an incident in Thatcham in January 2023.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Alice Broad, said: “This has been a difficult and complex investigation and I would like to again pay tribute to the family of Sheldon Lewcock at this difficult time.

“The sentencing will never bring closure to Sheldon Lewcock’s family but I hope it will go some way in helping the grieving process knowing the person responsible has been jailed for Sheldon’s manslaughter.”

On May 3 Judge Heather Norton told them she would accept a majority verdict from them.

This means jurors will not have to vote unanimously to convict Willicombe - or to find him not guilty.

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."