R v Stephen Howarth
Harrison Norton prosecuted Stephen Howarth who pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, driving without insurance, failing to give a specimen and failing to give a specimen for class ‘A’ drug analysis.
On 5th June 2026, police officers were made aware of Howarth driving at an excessive speed in the Doncaster area. Officers attempted to stop Howarth; he failed to, and a police pursuit ensued. The pursuit lasted nine minutes during which Mr Howarth engaged in dangerous driving by persistently driving at excessive speeds including 90mph in residential areas, ignoring red automatic traffic signals, driving on the incorrect side of the road around blind bends and leaving the carriageway at various junctures. The pursuit came to an end when Howarth left the road for the final time and crashed through some hedging. Once apprehended by the police it was quickly established that Howarth was disqualified and as such did not possess insurance. It was also established that he had been carrying three passengers with him, two 15-year-old males and a 13-year-old female, who was pregnant. He later refused to give samples for analysis.
Howarth was sentenced to 12 months immediate custody and disqualified from driving for three years and six months.
The case was covered in the Sheffield Star (paywall applies).
