Driver who killed motorcyclist in Huyton collision is jailed after lying about health

A driver who killed a motorcyclist in a collision in Huyton and then spent years falsely claiming he was medically unfit to be prosecuted has finally had his day in court.

Steven Naylor, 41, of Spinney Close, in St Helens, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today (Thursday 8 January) after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice. He was jailed for 12 years.

Naylor was behind the wheel of a black Audi A4 car when he collided with a red Suzuki motorbike on Sunday 25 April 2021 on the M62 between junctions 6 and 7.

The motorcyclist, Owen Baugh, aged 23, who was from Manchester, was taken to hospital for treatment but was sadly pronounced dead a short time later.

Naylor then spun a web of lies by claiming he was medically unfit to be prosecuted and was even found not guilty in court after he was charged with failing to consent to provide a blood sample for analysis.

Following one of the largest investigations ever carried out by our Serious Collision Investigations Unit (SCIU), we were able to prove beyond any doubt that Naylor had lied about his health.

By gathering hundreds of hours of CCTV and mobile phone footage, which showed him playing rugby, kayaking, dancing at a festival and holidaying, as well as a raft of medical and documentary evidence, Naylor was left with no option but to admit perverting the course of justice.

His wife, Lisa Naylor (above), 40, of Spinney Close, in St Helens, was also charged with perverting the course of justice for taking an active role in the deceit and she was also sentenced today in court to four and a half years.

Owen's family today issued the following statement: "Since Mr Naylor's actions on the night of 25 April 2021, out 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.

Owen Baugh 

"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."

Detective Constable Clare Barker, the Investigating Officer from SCIU, said: "Owen's death was needless and completely avoidable and it has had a devastating impact his family and the many people who knew and loved him.

“They have always been at the forefront of our minds and whilst today's sentence will do nothing to bring Owen back to his family, I hope it gives them some comfort knowing that the people responsible for his death and the subsequent near five years of delays and additional heartache are now serving time behind bars.

“This has 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 that 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.

“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.

“The actions of Steven and Lisa Naylor have been nothing short of callous and have not allowed Owen's already grieving family and friends to begin to make steps forward. My thoughts remain firmly with the Baugh family, who have shown immense dignity and strength throughout this ordeal.

“I would also like to thank the members of the public who stopped to help on the M62 on the night of this collision and who assisted with our 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.

“I hope this outcome sends a powerful message that Merseyside Police will not relent in our pursuit of justice for those killed or seriously injured on our roads. We will continue to investigate thoroughly and with tenacity, challenging dishonesty whilst always focusing on victims and their families — no matter how long it takes."