Driver who was too ill' to face justice exposed by footage showing him playing rugby

"A driver who killed a young motorcyclist and tried to evade justice by claiming he had a brain injury has been jailed after a huge police operation uncovered footage of him playing rugby, dancing at a festival and smiling on holiday. Steven Naylor, 41, of St Helens, Merseyside, crashed into Owen Baugh's motorbike on the M62 in Manchester in April 2021. The 23-year-old was thrown into the road and hit by another vehicle and later died."

"Naylor avoided being charged over the death after claiming to have suffered a brain injury in the incident. He also said he could barely walk and was still walking with a limp and using a crutch, years after the crash. Steven Nayor was seen driving a speedboat in one clip found by Merseyside Police (Merseyside Police) He was found not guilty in court after he was charged with failing to consent to provide a blood sample for analysis."

"However, Naylor's deliberate and sustained dishonesty was brought to an end after police uncovered hundreds of hours of CCTV and mobile phone footage showing Naylor going about his daily routine and enjoying outings with his family. After being shown the evidence compiled on him, along with fresh medical assessments, Naylor pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and causing death by dangerous driving. This week, nearly five years after Owen's death, he was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court for 12 years."

Steven Naylor, 41, crashed into 23-year-old Owen Baugh's motorcycle on the M62 in Manchester in April 2021, leaving the rider thrown into the road and later dead. Naylor claimed a brain injury, a persistent limp and use of a crutch, avoiding immediate charge. Police later recovered hundreds of hours of CCTV and mobile footage showing Naylor playing rugby, dancing, driving a speedboat, carrying beer in a pub, and smiling on holiday. After fresh medical assessments and being shown the footage, Naylor pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and causing death by dangerous driving. He received a 12-year sentence; his wife Lisa received 4½ years.

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