Killer of Reading teenager jailed

Sheldon Lewcock was hit by a van on the wrong side of the road in August 2022

Author: Jonathan RichardsPublished 20th Sep 2024

A man has been jailed for the manslaughter of Sheldon Lewcock in Tilehurst.

Ryan Willicombe, aged 19, of Home Straight, Newbury, was sentenced to a total 10 years and eight months at Reading Crown Court.

Willicombe was sentenced to eight years and eight months for the manslaughter of Sheldon Lewcock, and two years for being concerned in the supply of crack and cocaine to run concurrently.

He was also disqualified from driving for 12 years and six months and was ordered to forfeit the drugs and mobile phone found on him.

Willicombe was convicted by a unanimous jury verdict of manslaughter, at the same court, on 8 May.

He previously pleaded guilty to death by dangerous driving.

The jury found Willicombe not guilty of the murder 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.

Willicombe was arrested the following day and following a thorough investigation was formally charged on 27 September 2023.

On 24 July 2023, Willicombe was convicted of two counts of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, after an incident in Thatcham in January 2023.

Complex

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Alice Broad, said:

“This has been a difficult and complex investigation and I would like to again pay tribute to the family of Sheldon Lewcock at this difficult time.

“The sentencing will never bring closure to Sheldon Lewcock’s family but I hope it will go some way in helping the grieving process knowing the person responsible has been jailed for Sheldon’s manslaughter.”

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.