Fatal Rosedale Abbey crash driver brought to justice five years after fleeing UK

21-year-old Shane, from Grangetown, Redcar and Cleveland, was a passenger in a blue Audi A3 car driven by Euan Arron Corbett which crashed on Knott Road, near Rosedale Abbey, at around 1pm on May 2 2020.

He was airlifted to hospital but tragically died from the severe injuries he sustained in the single-vehicle collision.

Corbett (pictured above), also aged 21 at the time of the incident, 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.

Working closely with Cleveland Police, who were also investigating him in relation to a serious firearms offence in their area, the Force’s Intelligence Bureau 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.

He was also found guilty of the Cleveland firearms offences after he stood trial at Teesside Crown Court last week.

Corbett was sentenced on Thursday November 20 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.”

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Matt Hollingsworth from Cleveland Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team (HMET), said: “Euan Corbett gave the orders for a firearm to be discharged at a home in Liverton Avenue in 2023.

“Whilst Corbett was abroad, he sent a voice note to an accomplice which led to a quad bike turning up at an address and a shotgun was fired into the living room of a property, where fortunately, no one was hurt.

“Corbett was already on the run, trying to evade capture from police, when he ordered the attack on the house, which was sparked over him being owed a small amount of money.

“It is unthinkable the lengths he would go to over a relatively small disagreement, and even worse is the sheer disregard for what could have happened to anyone inside that property.

“Officers from Cleveland Police and North Yorkshire Police have worked tirelessly and carried out a thorough investigation to ensure that Corbett was located and returned to the UK to face justice for what he has done, and I am pleased that he is now behind bars for a significant length of time.”