A 40-year-old man, Ryan Naughton, has been sentenced to eight years in prison and banned from driving for 11 years and four months after causing a head-on collision that led to the tragic death of an elderly woman and serious injuries to her husband.

The incident occurred on Harborough Avenue, Sheffield, on September 9, 2021, around 11:50 am. Naughton, driving a VW Golf at high speeds in a residential area, attempted a dangerous overtake, resulting in a collision with a taxi traveling in the opposite direction. The taxi carried 83-year-old Eileen Epton and her husband, Richard, now 68.

At Sheffield Crown Court on Monday, Naughton, residing on Skye Edge Road, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to one count of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of causing injury by dangerous driving. The sentencing included eight years in prison and a driving ban of 11 years and four months.

The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, highlighted Naughton’s reckless behavior, noting that he drove at almost twice the speed limit in an urban area. The judge emphasised Naughton’s dangerous overtaking manoeuvres and described his driving as highly dangerous, disregarding the risk to others on the road.

Judge Richardson mandated that Naughton serves at least two-thirds of his custodial sentence. Following the driving ban, Naughton must pass an extended driving test before being allowed to drive again.

Officer in the case PC Natalie Booler, from the Serious Collisions Unit, expressed the importance of holding dangerous offenders accountable. She stated, “This sentencing sees a dangerous and irresponsible individual off our streets. Although it will never take away from the grief and harm caused to Mr. Epton and his family, I hope this conclusion offers a sense of closure and justice, and our thoughts remain with the family.” PC Booler emphasised the commitment to pursuing dangerous offenders to ensure road safety.