On 8/1, Steven Naylor, 41, was sentenced to 12 years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court for dangerous driving causing death and perverting the course of justice. His wife, Lisa, also received a 4.5-year prison sentence.
According to court records, on the evening of 24/4/2021, Steven drove an Audi at speeds up to 193 km/h while intoxicated after his wife's birthday party. The father of four crashed into the back of a motorcycle ridden by Owen Baugh, 23, on the M62 motorway near Liverpool. Owen was thrown onto the road and struck by another vehicle, dying at the scene.
Steven also sustained a severe injury when a wooden fence post impaled his left shoulder as his car veered off the road. He remained hospitalized for several weeks, discharged on 10/6/2021.
Immediately afterward, Steven and his wife, Lisa, began to spin a web of lies to evade legal consequences.
Initially, they claimed Steven lacked the mental capacity to consent to a blood sample analysis, which had already been taken immediately after the accident while he was unconscious. Steven was charged with failing to provide a blood sample to police but was acquitted by a judge in 7/2023, based on the testimony of a psychiatrist. During an online consultation, the doctor stated Steven showed "anxiety" and "rapid breathing." Lisa also claimed her husband's short-term memory had deteriorated and that he was found to have fluid in the brain, in addition to "mobility issues."
However, police later discovered the couple had exaggerated the severity of Steven's injuries after the collision. He played rugby in 4/2023, visited pubs, attended concerts, shopped multiple times at supermarkets in 6-7/2023, and went kayaking in 8/2023. Steven could move independently and carry items without assistance.
 |
Steven Naylor enjoyed various activities despite claiming mobility issues and brain damage. Photo: DM |
Steven Naylor enjoyed various activities despite claiming mobility issues and brain damage. Photo: DM
When Merseyside police sought to prosecute Steven in connection with the accident, he continued to tell another doctor during a medical examination in 9/2023 that he could not recall when he last ate or watched television. Meanwhile, Lisa maintained that her husband had difficulty walking and used a cane indoors.
However, subsequent evidence revealed Steven had visited gyms, watched movies, assisted with rugby coaching, played golf, taken cruises, vacationed in Dublin, repaired oto, and danced at a summer festival in 2024.
Both were questioned by police in 10/2024 based on these findings but continued to lie, causing significant delays in the investigation and severely impeding the prosecution of the case.
Upon their arrest, the couple continued their charade, believing they could deceive authorities. Lisa complained to officers that the crowd overwhelmed her husband due to his unrecovered brain damage. Steven, using crutches, feigned confusion, looking around bewildered as police entered their home, as if suffering from the brain damage his wife claimed.
 |
Steven Naylor and his wife continued to lie upon their arrest. Photo: Merseyside Police |
Steven Naylor and his wife continued to lie upon their arrest. Photo: Merseyside Police
In court, the defense lawyer sought a reduced sentence by presenting Steven's diagnosis of autism, struggles with mental health issues, and anxiety stemming from the loss of a loved one during his youth.
The judge criticized the defendants' unscrupulous attempts to evade justice, which prolonged the suffering of the victim's family.
Steven pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death approximately one month before his scheduled trial and subsequently pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice on the day of his court appearance. He showed no visible reaction upon being sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Steven was also banned from driving for 138 months and must pass an extended driving test before being allowed to drive again.
Similarly, Lisa pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice on the day of her trial and was sentenced to 4.5 years in prison.
By Tue Anh (based on Liverpool Echo, The Sun)
