Shocking moment ex-footballer, 22, ploughs into elderly gran and flees before being hunted down by horrified bystanders

The Sun

25-07-2025

THIS is the shocking moment an ex-footballer riding an e-bike ploughed into a grandmother crossing the road.
Footage shows Margaret Scaldwell, 70, walking across Orell Road, in Wigan, in August 2023.
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Kian Monks, then aged 19, barrels towards her at around 40mph on a Talaria Sting e-bike.
The grandmother was thrown several metres through the air and smashed her head on the pavement.
A distressed 999 caller could be heard telling a dispatch officer: "She's in the middle of the road, she's just been knocked over.
"Her head's open, there's blood everywhere, she is breathing, the lad's trying to run away, the one who knocked her over. It's not good."
Cowardly Monks was filmed by members of the public as he fled from the scene down an alleyway.
When officers caught up to the thug his face was covered in blood.
He tried to plead innocence and told police: "I wasn't driving, it wasn't me. I've hit my head. I've hurt my head and my jaw."
The teen had been riding the Talaria Sting, which had its speed limiter disconnected, alongside Joel Pilling, 22.
Pilling handed himself in to police later the same day.
Margaret was rushed to hospital with a broken spine, pelvis, arms and 19 broken ribs.
She was placed in a coma with life-changing injuries.
The 70-year-old who was once "independent" and "always had a smile" is now unable to feed herself.
Both Monks and Pilling appeared at Bolton Crown Court yesterday.
Monks, now 22, was sentenced to 22 months in prison, after pleading guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, dangerous driving and driving with no licence or insurance.
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The £3,795 Talaria Sting e-bike is considered a motor vehicle under the law and requires insurance.
He was also found guilty of failing to stop at the scene of a collision, failing to report a collision and failing to provide a specimen for analysis following a serious collision.
Pilling, who owned the motorbike but held no licence, was given a 22-month sentence, suspended for two years.
He must also carry out 250 hours of unpaid work.
In an emotional statement after the sentencing, Margaret said: "These men's selfishness have ruined my life.
"Before the collision I was an independent lady and always had a smile on my face.
"Now my life is dehumanising, reduced to a long list of hospital appointments with no end in sight and I can no longer walk wash or feed myself.
"No sentence will bring back my health. But I will not let them beat me as I am determined to recover the best I can."
Det Const Steve Pennington, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "This was a shocking incident where two individuals recklessly rode an e-bike through one of Wigan's busiest areas with complete disregard for public safety.
"Their dangerous driving resulted in a horrific collision with a grandmother who was simply crossing the road.
"She suffered life-changing injuries and spent weeks in a coma - it's nothing short of miraculous that she survived.
"This incident highlights the severe consequences of operating e-bikes illegally on our roads.
"These aren't toys - they're powerful vehicles that require proper licensing, safety equipment, and responsible handling.
"Riding without these essentials isn't just breaking the law - it's putting lives at risk.
"At GMP we're committed to reducing serious and fatal collisions across our region.
"We actively support national road safety initiatives like the Fatal 4 campaign, targeting the four main causes of serious road incidents: speeding, using mobile phones, not wearing seatbelts, and driving under the influence.
"Road safety is everyone's responsibility, and the consequences of ignoring this can be truly catastrophic."
E-bike crack down
By Jack Elsom
YOBS who terrorise towns with off-road bikes, e-scooters and cars will have them crushed within 48 hours under new police powers.
Ministers plan to reduce the time cops can destroy thugs' vehicles from two weeks to two days so they have less chance to retrieve them.
Officers have complained that the current 14-day window creates a 'revolving door' where louts have time to reclaim their bikes and cars to keep wreaking havoc.
The Home Office has launched a consultation on their proposals to tackle the scourge of anti-social behaviour blighting communities.
Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson said: 'Anti-social and reckless driving brings misery to communities across the country, from dangerous street racing to off-road bikes tearing through local parks.
"By enabling police to seize and dispose of these vehicles within just 48 hours, we're giving our officers the tools they need to deliver immediate results and providing communities the swift justice they deserve.'
Labour are also looking to hike the fines for the cost of seizing, towing and crushing vehicles.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has already announced powers for police to seize bikes, e-scooters and cars without warning.
The problem of nuisance driving has become so bad that some forces have launched dedicated operations to combat it.
Operation Vulcan in Oldham has been targeting e-bikes, four of which were seized after their drivers were arrested for drug supply.
National Police Chiefs' Council Lead for Roads Policing, Chief Constable Jo Shiner, said: 'Anti-social use of a vehicle, such as street racing, street cruising or off-road use is more than a matter of noise pollution.
'It can have long-term effects on a neighbourhood, with the criminal damage of roads, other vehicles and surrounding property.'