A businessman caught driving his £200,000 Bentley under the influence of cocaine at dangerously high levels received a lenient sentence after attributing his impaired state to a traumatic brief marriage and ensuing mental health struggles, raising questions about judicial treatment based on privilege.
A 50-year-old businessman has narrowly avoided imprisonment after being caught driving his £200,000 Bentley while under the influence of cocaine, significantly exceeding legal limits. Steve Wynne, who was found to have over eight times the permissible amount of drugs in his system, attributed his impaired driving to a severe personal crisis following a tumultuous marriage that lasted a mere 24 hours. At the time of his arrest, Wynne was driving his 198mph Continental GT in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, causing concern as he veered across lanes, prompting police intervention.
During the police stop, officers noted his appearance was ‘sallow and grey’, and a small bag containing traces of cocaine was discovered in his pocket. Subsequent tests revealed Wynne had 67 micrograms of cocaine and 400 micrograms of benzoylecgonine per litre of blood, far exceeding the legal limits of ten and 50 micrograms, respectively. While he once owned a thriving kitchen design business, the fallout from his brief, highly questionable marriage appears to have led to a significant deterioration in both his mental health and financial stability.
In court, Wynne claimed that he had been taken advantage of by his bride, who allegedly vanished with £200,000 shortly after their wedding. He described the situation as a betrayal, stating, “I’ve lost everything.” His defence lawyer, Lesley Herman, characterised the case as a “rather sad tale”, emphasizing that Wynne had previously been a successful businessman, employing nine people and running two shops. Unfortunately, both his business and his mental health have suffered, leading to his current dependence on universal credit—intensified by the fact that these payments barely cover his rent.
Despite the severity of the offences, Wynne was sentenced lightly, receiving a £162 fine, a £65 surcharge, and a driving ban of 12 months. Asserting that his driving impairment on the day of the incident was more about his emotional state than drug use, Wynne’s case has attracted attention not just due to the potential consequences of his actions but also for the broader implications regarding drug-impaired driving in the UK.
Comparatively, a similar case captured headlines in 2021, when another Bentley driver, Richard Bowser, was not so fortunate. Bowser was jailed for 18 months after leading police on a high-speed chase at 130mph while under the influence of cocaine. His reckless behaviour not only put other road users at risk but culminated in significant legal repercussions that starkly contrasted with Wynne’s comparatively lenient sentencing. This disparity raises crucial questions about the judicial system’s handling of drug-related driving offences, particularly among affluent individuals.
As discussions surrounding mental health and addiction gain prominence, Wynne’s case adds another layer to the ongoing dialogue about the responsibilities of individuals with substantial means. It might further highlight an aspect of privilege whereby the consequences faced by wealthy offenders can differ markedly from those encountered by average individuals in similar circumstances.
While Steve Wynne’s situation has unfolded amid personal trials, it serves as a reminder of the inherent dangers of drug-impaired driving, echoing the statistics that suggest a worrying trend in road safety. As the debate continues, it becomes increasingly vital to scrutinise not only individual cases but also the broader societal influences that affect legal outcomes.
Reference Map:
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14743867/Businessman-drove-Bentley-high-cocaine-avoids-jail-blaming-new-wife-24-hours-walked-200-000.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/uk-news/2021/07/23/bentley-driver-jailed-for-130mph-police-pursuit-while-high-on-cocaine/ – Richard Bowser, 44, led police on a high-speed chase in his Bentley Continental GT, reaching speeds up to 130mph while under the influence of cocaine. The pursuit ended when he crashed into a stationary police car. Bowser was subsequently jailed for 18 months at Durham Crown Court. The incident occurred on May 23, 2021, when Bowser, after consuming a significant amount of cocaine, attempted to evade police in County Durham. His reckless driving posed significant risks to public safety, leading to his arrest and conviction.
- https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/bentley-cocaine-driver-jailed-130-mph-police-pursuit-b947373.html – Richard Bowser, 44, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after leading police on a high-speed chase in his Bentley Continental GT while under the influence of cocaine. The pursuit reached speeds of up to 130mph in County Durham, ending when Bowser crashed into a stationary police car. The incident highlighted the dangers of drug-impaired driving and resulted in Bowser’s conviction for dangerous driving, drink-driving, and drug-driving.
- https://www.kentonline.co.uk/news/national/bentley-driver-jailed-for-130mph-police-pursuit-while-high-on-cocaine-36306/ – Richard Bowser, 44, was jailed for 18 months after leading police on a high-speed pursuit in his Bentley Continental GT while under the influence of cocaine. The chase reached speeds of 130mph in County Durham, ending when Bowser crashed into a stationary police car. The incident occurred on May 23, 2021, and Bowser was convicted of dangerous driving, drink-driving, and drug-driving.
- https://www.expressandstar.com/news/uk-news/2021/07/23/bentley-driver-jailed-for-130mph-police-pursuit-while-high-on-cocaine/ – Richard Bowser, 44, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after leading police on a high-speed chase in his Bentley Continental GT while under the influence of cocaine. The pursuit reached speeds of up to 130mph in County Durham, ending when Bowser crashed into a stationary police car. The incident occurred on May 23, 2021, and Bowser was convicted of dangerous driving, drink-driving, and drug-driving.
- https://guernseypress.com/news/uk-news/2021/07/23/bentley-driver-jailed-for-130mph-police-pursuit-while-high-on-cocaine/ – Richard Bowser, 44, was jailed for 18 months after leading police on a high-speed pursuit in his Bentley Continental GT while under the influence of cocaine. The chase reached speeds of 130mph in County Durham, ending when Bowser crashed into a stationary police car. The incident occurred on May 23, 2021, and Bowser was convicted of dangerous driving, drink-driving, and drug-driving.
- https://metro.co.uk/2021/07/23/drunk-bentley-driver-jailed-for-130mph-police-chase-while-high-on-cocaine-14979869/ – Richard Bowser, 44, was jailed for 18 months after leading police on a high-speed chase in his Bentley Continental GT while under the influence of cocaine. The pursuit reached speeds of up to 130mph in County Durham, ending when Bowser crashed into a stationary police car. The incident occurred on May 23, 2021, and Bowser was convicted of dangerous driving, drink-driving, and drug-driving.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
3
Notes:
The narrative closely mirrors a 2021 incident involving Richard Bowser, who was jailed for a 130mph police pursuit while high on cocaine. ([standard.co.uk](https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/bentley-cocaine-driver-jailed-130-mph-police-pursuit-b947373.html?utm_source=openai)) The inclusion of updated data, such as the £162 fine and 12-month driving ban, suggests an attempt to refresh the content. However, the core details remain largely unchanged, indicating potential recycling of old news.
Quotes check
Score:
2
Notes:
The direct quote, “I’ve lost everything,” attributed to Steve Wynne, does not appear in the 2021 reports about Richard Bowser. However, the similarity in the narrative raises concerns about the originality of the content. The absence of this specific quote in earlier material suggests potential originality, but the overall resemblance to previous reports is concerning.
Source reliability
Score:
4
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a reputable UK newspaper. However, the lack of corroboration from other reputable outlets and the similarity to previous reports raises questions about the reliability of the information.
Plausability check
Score:
5
Notes:
The narrative presents a plausible scenario involving a businessman driving under the influence of cocaine. However, the lack of supporting details from other reputable outlets and the similarity to previous reports suggest potential issues with the authenticity of the content.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative closely mirrors a 2021 incident involving Richard Bowser, with minimal updates and a lack of corroboration from other reputable outlets. The recycling of old news, potential reuse of quotes, and the absence of supporting details from other reputable sources raise significant concerns about the authenticity and originality of the content.
