He killed a man but their web of lies unravelled when he went shopping at Aldi

Steven Naylor drunkenly reached speeds of up to 120mph on the M62 after his wife's birthday party before crashing into 23-year-old Owen Baugh's motorbike

14:32, 08 Jan 2026Updated 16:24, 08 Jan 2026

A husband and wife hatched a grotesque cover up after he killed a man but were exposed by his trips to Aldi, Dublin and Reminisce Festival. Steven Naylor reached speeds of up to 120mph as he drunkenly flew down the M62 in his Audi after his partner's birthday party.

The dad-of-four then ploughed into the back of a motorbike being ridden by 23-year-old Owen Baugh, who was fatally knocked into the carriageway and hit by another vehicle. While the killer himself was left seriously injured, having been impaled by a wooden fence when his car veered off the road, both him and his wife Lisa then set about weaving a web of lies in order to avoid the consequences of his mindless and selfish actions.

This involved the couple vastly exaggerating the extent of the difficulties he had been left with as a result of the collision, thereby hoping that he would avoid justice.

But, despite having claimed that he could barely walk, their cruel deceit was exposed by pictures and videos of him playing rugby, kayaking and going on boating trips, holidaying abroad and shopping at the supermarket.

Liverpool Crown Court[1] heard today, Thursday, that the Naylors held a belated birthday party for Lisa at their home address on Spinney Close in St Helens[2] on the evening of April 24, 2021. After members of their family had left, she recalled having gone to bed at around 11pm, leaving Steven downstairs.

While Lisa Naylor later noticed his phone on the bedside table, she subsequently woke up in the early hours to find that her 41-year-old husband had left the house. Nicola Daley, prosecuting, said: "For some unknown reason, after consuming alcohol during the course of the evening, Stephen Naylor chose to get into his car and ended up driving along the M62 motorway."

Around a mile prior to the scene of the crash at junction seven for Rainhill[3], Mr Baugh's motorcycle was captured travelling "entirely properly" in the middle lane at speeds of around 70mph.

However, the same CCTV camera then recorded Naylor's Audi A4 travelling behind the bike at roughly 120mph while also "flashing his headlights to get people to move out of the way".

Both remained in lane two when the car thereafter struck the back of the motorbike, pushing it towards the hard shoulder. Mr Baugh, from Manchester, fell into the left hand lane as a result, at which stage he was struck by another vehicle, which was "unable to avoid" the collision, and killed.

Naylor's Audi meanwhile continued onto the grass verge at the side of the motorway, smashing through a wooden fence and coming to rest in an adjacent field. This resulted in a "long piece of the fencing" piercing the front windscreen and impaling him to the left shoulder area.

Police officers and paramedics who attended the incident reported a "strong smell of alcohol" when speaking to Naylor, who commented that "he was not the one worth helping, but that they should concentrate on assisting any others involved in the accident".

He remained in hospital for several weeks until eventually being discharged on June 10, 2021.

But, later, his and 40-year-old Lisa Naylor's "conduct became dishonest by exaggerating the ongoing effects of his undoubtedly serious injuries". This initially saw them maintain that he did not have the capacity to consent for a sample of his blood, taken in the aftermath of the crash as he lay unconscious, to be submitted for analysis.

Having been charged with failing to provide a specimen of blood for analysis, he was ultimately cleared of this offence in his absence by magistrates in July 2023 due to the evidence of a psychiatrist, with Steven Naylor having presented as "distressed" and "hyperventilating, holding his chest in his hands" during a video link consultation with the clinician. Having also "appeared perplexed and fallen asleep" during this meeting, Lisa Naylor claimed that her partner's short term memory had deteriorated and had been found to have fluid on his brain, in addition to ongoing issues with his "walking and gait".

However, detectives subsequently discovered that she had been sent a video of her husband playing rugby on April 2023 while messages also showed their plans to attend an 80s disco night for Steven Naylor's birthday and CCTV from Clock Face Miners rugby club showed him showed him carrying a tray of drinks from the bar on June 3.

Six days later, he and his wife were caught on camera in the Glass House pub in the town, while he was then captured on numerous occasions in June and July 2023 visiting Aldi and Morrisons supermarkets independently and carrying his own shopping.

Further footage meanwhile showed him "standing, waiting to order some food" at Pennington Flash Nature Reserve in Leigh on June 15. Then, on July 15 2023, the day he had been due to appear before the magistrates' court, he was filmed attending the cinema with his co-defendant, "moving from the car, apparently unaided, throughout".

Naylor thereafter attended his brother's wedding the following month, even delivering a speech during the celebrations, with pictures taken in August 2023 also showing him in a canoe and "helping somebody climb a tree". With Merseyside Police still pursuing a prosecution against him in relation to the crash, he went on to tell another doctor during an assessment in September 2023 that he was unable to remember when he last ate or watched television.

Lisa Naylor meanwhile maintained that he was "struggling with mobility and used a walking stick inside the house".

However, further evidence later showed him attending the gym, visiting the cinema again, assisting in rugby coaching, playing golf, embarking upon a boat trip, holidaying in Dublin, performing work on a car, kayaking and attending Reminisce Festival during the summer of 2024.

Both were then interviewed by police in October 2024 as a result of these findings but "misrepresented his true abilities", with Steven Naylor apparently seeming unsure how to use his walking stick when officers attended their home. Ms Daley added: "Both have completed misrepresented the true abilities to various experts, in particular, from that 2023 period right through 2024, which caused significant delays in terms of this investigation and bringing this matter to court."

Both defendants have no previous convictions. Joanne Maxwell, defending Steven Naylor, said on his behalf: "Nothing said in my submissions to this court are aimed at detracting from the tragedy that has happened in this case and the effect of the tragic loss of Mr Baugh has had on his loved ones.

"He has inevitably, of course, been struggling with the injuries that he sustained.

He is very clear and, perhaps, very straightforward and has told me that he is, of course, very sorry and regrets his actions on that night.

"Mr Naylor grew up in a close family unit. His aunt [Pauline Leyland, in a reference provided to the court] sets out, previously, from an early age, that he struggled socially and academically. He has always been very quiet and reserved.

"At the age of 15, Mr Naylor experienced loss, as many of us do, within the family unit, particularly two members of the family died weeks apart, which had a significant effect on Mr Naylor.

His mother and his cousin, who he was close to, lost their lives very unexpectedly, in quick succession. His cousin died as a result of what is described as a road accident. He struggled emotionally, and no support was obtained.

"When Mr Naylor met his co-defendant and wife, they were still relatively young.

They had four children and married. He is described by family members as a model husband and father. He has been diagnosed with autism.

He has worked hard to provide a stable and loving home for their children. Their marriage remains strong.

"Mr Naylor has suffered with his mental health and the long term effects of unresolved anxiety, because of the loss of his other family members. He has never been in trouble in the past.

"Ms Leyland adds that, despite the challenges faced by Mr Naylor in his life, he has remained kind-hearted.

He has wanted to look after and provide for his wife and family. Without hesitation, she says that Steven is profoundly remorseful for his actions and carries deep regret for what he has done and the pain he has caused.

"Ms McBride [Naylor's sister, Jennifer] reiterates that he is now a very different person since his actions in April of 2021. She describes Mr Naylor as a shell of the person he was.

He was previously somebody who was a role model to her. He gets very upset about what has happened. Now, with hindsight, she realises the serious crisis point Mr Naylor was at."

Ms McBride's reference went on to add that her brother had been "struggling out loud" at the time of his crimes and stated "he would rather be with his mother and [his cousin] Alice", but "seemed clearer and more at peace" after contacting his GP.

Ms Maxwell added: "He was never the same since October of 1999, much like her aunt says, when Steven's mother died and, two weeks after, their cousin died also.

"She says that Mr Naylor's world collapsed within that fortnight. He was previously a promising rugby league player. He had signed for Bradford Bulls at the time.

But, following the loss of his family members, he lost his love for the game.

"He had been a scaffolder since leaving school. Fantastic parents are how she describes both Mr and Mrs Naylor. Ms McBride sets out that the children will, of course, lose their parents.

It has been extremely difficult to explain to the four children exactly what is going on, and how Mr Naylor has spent days crying for the consequences of his actions and the effect he knows it will have on their children and wider family.

"Mr Naylor has no recollection of what took place that night. His family members attest to it being out of character. Ms McBride is fearful that he intended to end his life that evening.

He is, of course, aware of the upset and devastating effect of his actions."

Anna Duke, appearing for Lisa Naylor, told the court: "In the pre-sentence report, it says quite clearly, as far as Mrs Naylor is concerned, she is sorry that there was no closure sooner rather than later. Nothing I can say can ease the obvious grief and pain, but I think it is important that I express that.

"We know that Mrs Naylor has no previous convictions. She also has her own health issues and suffers with anxiety and depression.

It is quite clear that she has suffered tragic incidents herself. The murder of her brother, the death of her child, the death, in quick succession, of her mother and brother in December 2024.

"To quote one word from the very heartfelt letter written by her sons, she is the glue of the family. Other references speak of Mrs Naylor in glowing terms, her charitable work, looking after the family.

She also looks after her 15-year-old sister, who herself has her ongoing problems.

"I accept that the Naylors have brought this situation upon themselves, but there will invariably be a consequence and devastation for their children as well. They have their own health problems. The older children will look after the young children."

Steven Naylor admitted causing death by dangerous driving around a month prior to a scheduled trial before pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice on the day he was due to face a jury.

Having limped as he carried a holdall into the dock, where he wore a black long sleeved polo shirt and glasses, he showed no reaction as he was jailed for 12 years.

Lisa Naylor similarly pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice on the day of trial. Wearing a black coat and sporting long black hair, she was imprisoned for 54 months.

Steven Naylor was also banned from driving for 138 months and will be required to pass an extended retest before he is allowed back behind the wheel. Sentencing, Judge Simon Medland KC said: "On the 21st of April 2021, Owen Baugh, who was then 23 years old, was killed, and he was killed on the M62 because of your very dangerous driving.

"There was grossly excessive speed.

There is clear evidence of aggressive driving before the collision, and you were heavily under the influence of alcohol.

"Owen Baugh was a high achieving, greatly loved and busy young man with a very bright future. He was brave. He was charitable and he was public spirited.

"This court's deepest and enduring sympathies are entirely with the family and many friends of the late Owen Baugh.

They have attended today, as they have in many other hearings in this case, and conducted themselves throughout with the utmost dignity.

"The facts of this case could scarcely be worse. They are uniquely serious, in my long experience. I have never come across, either at the bar or on the bench, a case where two people were so determined to avoid the true consequences of the actions of one.

"They effectively conspired together to pervert the course of justice.

This against the background of a young man simply going to the gym who was killed because of the state of your driving, Steven Naylor.

"You were undoubtedly yourself serious injured during this incident, but that was your fault. You injured yourself because you drove in the way you did when grossly under the influence of alcohol.

"Because of your lies, deceit and selfishness, you escaped conviction for unlawfully failing to provide a specimen. You lied and gulled a psychologist who gave evidence on your behalf, based on what you said to him.

"You then proceeded to lie to various other psychiatrists, pretending that you were unfit to plead.

By doing so, you have dragged this out and showed, in the view of the family and friends, no shred of humanity and understanding of the agony and despair you have heaped upon them."

Judge Medland said that their "appalling, selfish and dishonest behaviour" had led to "utter devastation being caused in their lives" and added: "While they were mourning and grieving, you and your wife treated yourself to trips to discos, golf, Dublin, boat trips and lived a normal life of happiness and fulfilment, until the police came knocking for you again. Yet again, you exaggerated whatever symptoms you may have had, undertaking an appalling pantomime of being virtually unable to walk.

"You were assisted at every turn by your wife, Lisa Naylor. It is very difficult to reconcile your behaviour with the references, which are abundant, on your behalf and your previous good character.

"Throughout this, you could have pleaded guilty or indicated as such.

You would have reduced the agony of the family and friends. But you did not. You persisted.

Your protestations of being unfit to plead were, in my judgement, a sham from start to finish, and you knew that.

"This was a prolonged and sophisticated effort by you and your wife to defeat the true justice of the matter. You grossly delayed the prosecution of this case and thereby prolonged the agony of the deceased's family and friends. I have scarcely encountered a case even similar to this in its seriousness."

Turning to Lisa Naylor, the judge said: "Although I appreciate that you were not responsible for the death of Owen Baugh, you played an abundantly active part in delaying this prosecution in supporting the sham assertions of your husband, and thereby behaved in a serious and selfish way.

I reiterate to the family and friends of Owen Baugh this court's deepest and enduring sympathy in your bereavement."

References

1. ^ Liverpool Crown Court (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
2. ^ St Helens (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
3. ^ Rainhill (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)