Driver in court over ‘runaway’ electric car on Merseyside

A driver who said his luxury electric car accelerated “on its own” on the motorway has appeared in court.

Nathan Owen, 32, called police in March last year, to report his Jaguar I-Pace was speeding out of control on Merseyside and the brakes were not working.

The car had travelled along the the M57 and M58 before finally being brought to a stop by police cars manoeuvring to box it in on the M62 in Greater Manchester.

Mr Owen, of Denbighshire, north Wales, indicated not guilty pleas to dangerous driving, intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance and two counts of fraud at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court.

On the fraud matters, it is alleged he made a false representation to CA Auto Finance that the Jaguar was faulty and was accelerating on its own with the brakes unresponsive.

He is also accused of making the same claims to The Sun and Daily Mail newspapers, with the intention of causing loss to the Jaguar company or exposing it to risk of loss.

Prosecutor Renee Southern told the court it was the Crown’s case that the defendant had “persistently and dishonestly” claimed the vehicle was defective.

She said Mr Owen wanted to “get rid” of the vehicle and thus avoid further payments to the finance company – which totalled £4,426.

The court heard the car was stopped between Junction 11 for Birchwood and 12 for Eccles and the incident led to motorway closures and substantial delays.

Mr Owen, of Prestatyn, was released on unconditional bail to attend a further hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on 10 September, when he is expected to enter formal pleas.