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A man has been jailed for five years and 10 months after causing the death of his best friend in a head-on motorcycle collision in Woodchurch.
Leon Jones, 20, of Ford Way, Upton, was sentenced today at Liverpool Crown Court. He admitted to causing the death of 17-year-old Spencer Crofts in November 2024, as reported by the Wirral Globe.
He was also sentenced for an unrelated arson offence earlier this year.
The court heard Jones and Spencer had been riding up and down on Hoole Road on November 30, 2024, performing what was described as "prolonged wheelies" as groups of people gathered to watch.
Security footage also showed the two riding in a “dangerous and antisocial manner” for at least 20 minutes.
Jones was riding an illegal Sur-Ron electric bike, while Spencer was riding an “unroadworthy” petrol-powered motorcycle.
At around 6:20 pm, the two collided head-on.
Jones suffered serious injuries and a broken leg, and unfortunately, Spencer died at the scene from blunt force head trauma.
Prosecutor Henry Riding told the court the road was dark and wet, and neither rider had a helmet, protective clothing, or lights on the bike.
Reportedly, Jones was travelling at an estimated 27mph to 33mph in a 20mph zone. It was also heard that both riders had used cannabis before driving, but Jones was not over the legal limit to drive.
Defending, Louise McCloskey said Spencer had been one of Jones’ best friends and that Jones had suffered “life-changing, significant and ongoing injuries”.
She said he required continued medical treatment and support, while also suffering from neurological deficits affecting his judgement and ability to understand the consequences of his actions.
While awaiting sentence for the fatal crash, Jones was arrested after setting fire to a mobility scooter outside the home of a woman receiving end-of-life care.
The incident occurred on June 16 of this year, when a woman reported seeing a man on her Ring doorbell camera carrying a white bag and acting suspiciously at around 3:21 am.
Police later found Jones by the burning scooter, which cost £2,000. It was revealed the scooter belonged to Paul Walker, and was parked beside the window of the room in the property where his wife was receiving end-of-life care.
Mr Walker said he “no longer feels safe” leaving his wife alone or going outside.
Jones admitted trying to steal a wire from the scooter’s ignition and attempting to access it by burning plastic with a cigarette lighter.
Reportedly, he told police he was surprised to see a woman in the living room, and he condemned his actions, calling them "disgusting".
Sentencing, Judge Medland KC criticised the behaviour of other young men who had gathered at the crash and “egged it on”. The case took around two years to get to court.
He said the use of electric bikes in this way was a “positive menace” in Woodchurch and elsewhere.
He called Jones “an immature person” with “no great ability to understand the consequences” of his actions.
Jones was sentenced to five years and four months for causing death by dangerous driving, followed by six months for arson.
He is banned from driving for at least five years and must pass a detailed driving test before he can drive again.
Detective Sergeant Kurt Timpson, of Merseyside Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said the case demonstrated the “very real dangers” of using illegal and unroadworthy vehicles on the roads.
He added that the fact Jones and Spencer had been described as best friends made the outcome “all the more upsetting”.
