Wigan man jailed for causing 'life changing injuries' in e-bike crash

ITV News

5 days ago

Warning this article incudes distessing images.
Two men from Wigan have been sentenced for their part in an e-bike crash that left a pensioner with life-changing injuries.
On 1 August 2023, Margaret Scaldwell was crossing Orrell Road in Wigan when she was hit by an e-bike being driven by Kian Monks at about 40 mph in a 30 mph zone.
CCTV shown to Bolton Crown Court showed Mrs Scaldwell, 70 being knocked off her feet and thrown down the road after the collision.
The impact broke her spine, pelvis, both arms, and 19 ribs and she needed steel plates fitted in her face.
The court also heard the emergency calls made in the minutes after the collision where nearby drivers described the horrific collision.
Kian Monks, who used to play Wigan Athletic's Youth team was 19 at the time of the crash.
He had previously admitted to causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Today he was sentenced to 2 years and 3 months in prison.
Joel Pilling, who was 20 at the time of the collision had pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and aiding and abetting serious injury by dangerous driving.
In her victim impact statement Mrs Scaldwell said she was an "independent lady who always had a smile on my face" but is now "no longer living and is just existing".
As a result of the collision she relies on medication for the constant pain and to sleep at night. She said she has "nightmares and constant earache" after the collision.
Mrs Scaldwell said in her statement that was read to court that she has to sleep downstairs in the dining room as she cannot climb stairs.
She has limited use of her hands and struggles to eat as she lost her teeth in the collision and cannot hold a knife and fork.
The court heard she has been left with "multiple life changing injuries" which means she has no social life or confidence and is on anti-depressants, she cannot leave the house on her own.
Joel Pilling had bought the Talaria Sting e-bike from a friend for £3,200. It was not taxed or insured and the breaks were faulty.
Judge Jon Close said that even if the breaks were in working order it could not have stopped in time when it was travelling at least 10 mph over the speed limit. The e-bike was made even more unsteady as it was carrying a passenger at the time.
On the day of the crash Joel Pilling had picked up Kian Monks on the bike, but later they had swapped so Monks was driving and Pilling was the passenger. Monks insisted that he had no memory of swapping drivers, so he believed he was the passenger at the time of the collision.
Both Monks and Pilling fled the scene immediately after the crash. Monks was arrested at a nearby taxi rank and Pilling turned himself into Police several hours after the crash.
Monks told the court that "I woke up in a pool of my own blood, I thought I was going to die and needed to get home to my Mum and sister". He said he had "no recollection" of hitting anyone.
Mobile phone footage showed to the court saw him riding the bike away from the scene.
Kian Monks said he has written a letter of apology to Mrs Scaldwell and said "I feel horrendous about my actions and never set out to hurt anyone" saying he is "sincerely sorry"
Monks played as a centre-forward for Wigan Athletic's Youth Team during 2020/21 season. He has been without a club since July 2022.
He was described in court as having a "promising football career" that also included some time as an academy player at Bolton Wanderers.
He suffered a "career ending injury to his ankle" and then started to get in with the wrong crowd and make "stupid decision" when his future in football came to an end.
The court was told by Joel Pilling's defence team that the now 22 year old is a reformed character who was in with the 'wrong crowd' at the time of the collision.
He has shown genuine remorse for his behaviour and has good prospects for rehabilitation as he is working towards an apprenticeship and a career as a tradesman.
Joel Pilling, who was 20 at the time of the collision had pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and aiding and abetting serious injury by dangerous driving.
He was given a 22 months jail sentence suspended for two years plus 250 hours unpaid work. He was also disqualified from driving for two years .