Biker jailed for four years for killing a 71-year-old grandad after pulling a WHEELIE
Luke Stella sped away from the scene after mowing down Francis Abbott
A MOTORBIKE rider knocked down and killed a grandad after pulling a wheelie.
Luke Stella revved his Suzuki and sped away from traffic lights before hitting Francis Abbott, 71.
The grandad was crossing the 30mph road with his shopping near home in Potters Bar, Herts.
Stella, 26, of St Albans, claimed he could not pull wheelies.
But cops found videos of him doing it online, including one he posted after the killing
At St Albans crown court on Wednesday Stella was jailed for four years after being convicted of causing the death by his dangerous driving.
He was also disqualified from driving for three-and-a-half years.
He was told he would have to take an extended driving test before being allowed back on the roads again and his licence was endorsed.
The pensioner had been walking home in Potters Bar from a shopping trip to his local Sainsbury's store on the afternoon of April 14 2014.
After weaving at speed through stationary traffic to make it to the front of the queue, Stella was waiting for the traffic lights to change.
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He took off at speed performing the wheelie stunt as he crossed the junction.
The court heard he veered dangerously near to the kerb causing a family waiting to cross the road to jump back in alarm.
Further along Mr Abbott, a grandfather and sole carer for his wife who was carrying his shopping, started to cross the road which was subject to a 30 mph speed limit.
Stepping out from behind a van he was struck by the motorbike and suffered fatal injuries.
Prosecutor Peter Shaw said "Mr Abbot emerged from behind a white van, but the crown say he was, in all probability, speeding and not paying sufficient attention to avoid Mr Abbot.
Passing sentence Judge Stephen Warner told him he had ridden his motorcycle that day "without regard for other road users, including pedestrians."
The judge said that during his trial it had emerged that Stella had not only posted a wheelie stunt on Instagram before the death of Mr Abbott, but afterwards and before being charged with any offence he had posted another clip of him performing a wheelie.
";It displays callous indifference to what happened," he said
The judge told Stella "You thought driving like this was something to be proud of."
Adding: "You will have to live with the knowledge that it was your behaviour that day that resulted in the loss of another person's life."