Man found guilty of killing Reading teenager
Ryan Willicombe from Newbury found guilty of the manslaughter of Sheldon Lewcock in 2022
A man from Newbury has been convicted of the manslaughter in Tilehurst of Sheldon Lewcock.
Ryan Willicombe, aged 19, of Home Straight, Newbury, was convicted by a unanimous jury verdict of manslaughter of Sheldon, following a trial at Reading Crown Court, which lasted nearly four weeks.
Previously, on 21 March, Willicombe pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving, however the trial for murder continued.
The jury found Willicombe not guilty of murder the of Sheldon, and attempted GBH of Kayden Williams.
At approximately 6.10pm on 4 August 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.
Willcombe was arrested the following day and was formally charged on 27 May 2023.
He will be sentenced on a date yet to be determined.
Complex
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Alice Broad, said:
“This has been a difficult and complex investigation and trial at Reading Crown Court over the past few weeks.
“This conviction demonstrates that Ryan Willicombe was responsible for the death of Sheldon Lewcock, on the 4 August 2022 on Pierces Hill.
“My thoughts and that of Thames Valley Police very much remain with the family of Sheldon Lewcock at this difficult time.”
Violence
Local Policing Area Commander for Reading, Superintendent Steve Raffield said:
“Thames Valley Police will never tolerate violence in its communities and will always seek to bring offenders like Ryan Willicombe to justice.”