A man who went on the run and sparked a five year global manhunt after causing a fatal crash has been jailed.
Euan Arron Corbett was the driver of a blue Audi A3 which crashed on Knott Road, near Rosedale Abbey in the North York Moors National Park, at around 1pm on 2 May 2020.
Shane Finn, from Grangetown, Redcar and Cleveland, was the passenger. He was airlifted to hospital but died of his injuries. He was 21.
Corbett, also aged 21 at the time, from Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees, was arrested by North Yorkshire Police on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by driving whilst uninsured, and causing death by driving without a licence.
He was due to stand trial at York Crown Court in 2022 but instead fled the UK.
Knott Road near Rosedale Abbey
North Yorkshire Police set about making every effort to track down Corbett.
This included his movements in countries such as Portugal, Switzerland, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia.
He also occasionally sent defiant messages via social media as he continued to evade the authorities.
With support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the European Union and Interpol who issued arrest warrants, Corbett was eventually snared in Turkey in March this year and extradited back to the UK to face justice.
He pleaded guilty to causing Shane’s death by dangerous driving and the related motoring offences at York Crown Court in July.
Corbett then found guilty of firearms offences committed in Cleveland after he stood trial at Teesside Crown Court last week.
Corbett was sentenced today (Thursday) at Teesside Crown Court for both investigations – 11 years and two months’ imprisonment for the North Yorkshire offence, and four years for the Cleveland offence.
He has also been handed a four-year driving ban which starts from when he is released from prison.
Detective Constable Ellen Lowe, from North Yorkshire Police’s Major Collision Investigation Team, said: “The past five years have been deeply traumatic for Shane Finn’s family.
“Not only have they had to endure the tragic loss of Shane at such a young age, but Corbett has cruelly and selfishly prolonged their wait justice for his terrible actions while seemingly enjoying life on the run overseas.
“The prison sentence handed to him reflects the sheer harm he has caused in both North Yorkshire and the Cleveland Police area.
“Our thoughts remain with Shane’s loved ones who have shown immense dignity throughout the investigation.”
