A 20-year-old man has been sentenced to five years and four months in prison for causing the death of a 17-year-old by dangerous driving. Leon Jones pleaded guilty to the charge after colliding with a bike ridden by Spencer Crofts on November 30, 2024, in the Wirral Peninsula.
An investigation revealed Jones's e-bike was traveling at speeds up to 33 mph in a 20 mph zone and had been performing a wheelie immediately before the crash. Evidence presented to the court also indicated that Jones had used cannabis prior to the incident. Both Jones's e-bike and Spencer's scrambler bike were reportedly being driven in a dangerous manner on Hoole Road in the Woodchurch Estate at the time of the collision.
Jones was also sentenced for a separate arson offense committed on June 28, 2024, involving a mobility scooter. The court handed down consecutive sentences, resulting in a total custodial sentence of five years and ten months. He has been disqualified from driving for five years, with the disqualification period commencing upon his release from custody, and will be required to undergo an extended re-test.
Spencer Crofts, the victim, had previously overcome leukemia as a child and was described by his family as a loving and emotional individual who always wanted to help others. His aunt, Chayne Crofts, stated that his death had “destroyed” their close-knit family, with members experiencing shock, inability to eat or sleep, and profound heartbreak.
Detective Sergeant Kurt Timpson of Merseyside Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit commented on the case, emphasizing the tragic loss of a young life and the devastating consequences for Spencer’s family and friends. He highlighted the dangers associated with illegal and unroadworthy vehicles on public roads and stated that the sentence should serve as a warning. Merseyside Police continue to target offenders and seize illegal bikes as part of Operation Gears, their initiative addressing the dangerous and anti-social use of such vehicles.