Footage exposed killer driver's lies to avoid jail

A driver who killed a motorcyclist in a crash but claimed he was too ill to be prosecuted has been jailed, after video footage showed him playing rugby, kayaking and dancing at a festival with friends.

Steven Naylor, 41, from Spinney Close, St Helens, Merseyside, was driving on the M62 near Huyton in April 2021 when he hit a motorbike, killing Owen Baugh from Manchester.

Police gathered hundreds of hours of CCTV and mobile phone footage to prove he was lying about his health, and left him no option but to face a trial.

He admitted causing death by dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice at Liverpool Crown Court and was jailed for 12 years.

His wife Lisa Naylor, 40, also of Spinney Close, was also charged with perverting the course of justice for taking an active role in the deceit.

In a video recorded by Merseyside Police, she was seen telling officers he would struggle to answer questions because he had a brain injury.

She admitted the charge and was sentenced alongside her husband on Thursday to four-and-a-half years.

Police said Naylor was driving an Audi A4 when he hit Baugh's red Suzuki motorbike on the M62 between junctions 6 and 7.

Baugh, 23, was taken to hospital for treatment but died a short time later.

His family described Naylor as "evil" and said he had "never shown an ounce of remorse".

Det Con Clare Barker said the fatal crash was "needless and completely avoidable".

Police said Naylor spun a "web of lies" by claiming he was medically unfit to be prosecuted.

He was even found not guilty in court after he was charged with failing to consent to provide a blood sample for analysis.

Police said the investigation was one of the largest ever carried out by the Serious Collision Investigations Unit (SCIU), and they were able to prove beyond any doubt that Naylor had lied about his health.

The force said it also uncovered a raft of medical and documentary evidence which meant Naylor was left with no option but to admit perverting the course of justice.

He was seen driving a speedboat, taking holidays and carrying a round of drinks on a tray in a bar.

After sentencing, Baugh's family said: "Since Mr Naylor's actions on the night of 25 April 2021, our lives have come to a total, devastating stop.

"The ripple effect has travelled as far as America, Pakistan and Dubai where some of his best friends now live. His girlfriend still struggles to live a normal life.

"We would like to thank all the emergency services who dealt with the horrific incident on that night and members of the public who helped to try and divert traffic around the incident.

"A special thank you to Merseyside Police and in particular Sgt Andy Roper, Claire and Jack for their determined effort to bring this evil individual who has never shown an ounce of remorse since day one to justice."

Paying tribute to Baugh shortly after his death, his family described him as a "kind-hearted person" who would "go above and beyond" for others.

They added his "presence filled any room he walked in".

Barker said: "Owen's death was needless and completely avoidable and it has had a devastating impact on his family and the many people who knew and loved him."

She said she hoped the sentence would give his family "some comfort knowing the people responsible for his death and the subsequent near five years of delays and additional heartache are now serving time behind bars".

She said it had been an "incredibly challenging case not just because of its complexity, but because of the deliberate and sustained dishonesty shown by the suspects over such a long period of time".

"They repeatedly claimed Steven Naylor was unable to live a functioning life and was mentally incapable of being able to face the consequences of his actions whilst driving on that fateful April 2021 night," she said.

"Yet the evidence we have painstakingly gathered has shown a very different lifestyle than what was portrayed.

"This evidence clearly showed Steven Naylor going about his daily routine and enjoying outings with his family, all whilst showing no regard for the grieving family of Owen Baugh.

"Through the gathering of hundreds of hours of CCTV and a raft of medical and documentary evidence, we have been able to show that the story being portrayed was just that, a piece of fiction."

She described Steven and Lisa Naylor's actions as "nothing short of callous".

"My thoughts remain firmly with the Baugh family, who have shown immense dignity and strength throughout this ordeal," she said.

Barker also thanked members of the public who stopped to help in the aftermath of the crash on the M62 and assisted with the investigation.

"In particular, two motorists who bravely put themselves in harm's way by running to Owen's aid and waving towards other approaching motorists to warn them of what was ahead."

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