CHARLIE EDWARD TYERS CAUSES TRAGEDY IN STOCKTON-ON-TEES AND STOKESLEY

A 15-year-old boy from Stockton-on-Tees, who was involved in a reckless joyride that resulted in the tragic death of a pedestrian in the snowy streets of Stokesley, has been sentenced to serve five years in detention. Charlie Edward Tyers, the young offender, is set to begin his first period of detention today, following a series of reckless actions behind the wheel that left a profound and devastating impact on the family of the victim.

In a court hearing held on Teesside, the presiding judge, Judge John Walford, publicly identified Tyers and delivered a stern sentence, emphasizing the severity of the incident. The judge stated, “I have to sentence you for killing a 27-year-old man and, as an inevitable consequence, ruining the lives of his family. The deceased was a beloved son, brother, and friend, and you took his life in the most appalling circumstances.”

According to court records, Tyers took a Range Rover out for a joyride “out of pure devilment,” believing he could handle the vehicle despite his age and inexperience. On Saturday, January 19, around 12:20 pm, he was driving at approximately 70 miles per hour on a road with a speed limit of 30 mph, amidst snowy conditions. His loss of control caused the vehicle to veer onto the footpath, where it collided with a lamppost. The vehicle then struck Douglas Scott Robertson, who was simply walking along North Road, carrying his umbrella and minding his own business. The impact was so severe that Mr. Robertson was dragged approximately 350 feet by the vehicle before it crashed through a small wall and a tree, finally coming to a stop against a working men’s club.

Tragically, Mr. Robertson died at the scene. His mother described him as a shy, kind, caring, and intelligent young man. She expressed her grief, saying, “Douglas was a fantastic son who helped me both practically and emotionally, and was a best friend to his sister. He had found his place in life and knew what he wanted to achieve. It’s impossible to describe how much he meant to us. To have him taken away leaves a gaping hole that no sentence can fill.”

Prosecutor David Bradshaw highlighted that after the collision, Tyers fled the scene but later admitted to police that he did not realize someone was injured until officers apprehended him. During police interviews, Tyers expressed despair, telling officers, “You might as well smash me over the head now… I’ve killed someone.”

Throughout the court proceedings, Tyers was visibly distressed, weeping as details of the incident were read aloud. He was also shown video footage of the speeding Range Rover and the crash, which appeared to deeply affect him. It was revealed that Tyers had taken the vehicle nearly six hours before the incident from outside its owner’s residence in Stockton. Police reports indicated that earlier that day, he had attempted to refuel the vehicle, ignored offers of assistance, and was seen showing off to children on the street where the fatal crash occurred.

Investigations concluded that the crash was primarily caused by excessive speed and Tyers’ lack of driving experience. The teenager, described as assertive and self-confident, was on bail at the time and prohibited from entering Stokesley. He pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

Defense lawyer Peter Makepeace emphasized Tyers’s remorse and mental health issues, stating that the young man was under care for post-traumatic stress disorder and understood the gravity of his actions. However, the judge remarked on the irony of considering Tyers’s welfare given his previous disregard for others’ safety. Alongside Tyers, the court also heard from his 23-year-old passenger, Sam Hanlon, who was sentenced to a one-year community order for aggravated vehicle taking and was required to complete 200 hours of unpaid work. Tyers himself faced a five-year driving ban, while Hanlon’s license was suspended for one year.