A British driver whose dramatic claims of a runaway Jaguar I-Pace made international headlines has now been sentenced to more than four years in prison after a court concluded the entire incident was an elaborate fraud.
The case dates back to March 2024, when Nathan Owen called emergency services claiming his electric Jaguar was accelerating uncontrollably and that he had lost all ability to stop the vehicle. The incident triggered a major police response, with officers treating it as a genuine emergency while attempting to safely bring the SUV to a halt.
According to reporting by The Mirror, investigators later determined there was nothing mechanically wrong with the I-Pace and that Owen remained in full control of the vehicle throughout the ordeal. Liverpool Crown Court sentenced the 33-year-old to four years and three months in prison after he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and two counts of fraud.
The case also reignited debate surrounding claims of unintended acceleration in electric vehicles, although prosecutors said this incident was entirely fabricated and motivated by financial problems rather than any defect with the vehicle.
Police Responded To What They Believed Was A Runaway EV
The pursuit began after Owen called 999 shortly after 2 p.m., telling operators his Jaguar I-Pace had “gone crazy” and that he was unable to brake or control the vehicle. Prosecutors later revealed the SUV was actually stationary when he made that first emergency call.
Police launched a significant operation as Owen drove across the M58, M57 and M62 motorways in northwest England. Over roughly 35 minutes, he covered approximately 38 miles while reaching speeds of up to 86 mph.
Dashcam footage presented in court showed police attempting to box the Jaguar in to protect other motorists. During the operation, Owen deliberately rammed a police vehicle 31 times before officers finally brought the SUV to a stop near Warrington.
When the vehicle stopped, investigators noted the brake lights illuminated, further supporting evidence that Owen had been able to control the car all along.
Financial Problems Allegedly Motivated The Scheme
Court proceedings revealed Owen had purchased the Jaguar I-Pace through a finance agreement in September 2023. By March 2024, he had fallen behind on payments and still owed around £5,000.
Earlier on the day of the incident, Owen reportedly contacted a lender seeking to increase an existing loan but was refused. Just minutes later, he placed the emergency call claiming his electric SUV had suffered a catastrophic malfunction.
Prosecutors argued Owen’s goal was to have the Jaguar declared a total loss so he could escape the remaining finance payments. Less than an hour after the incident ended, he contacted the finance company.
The court also heard Owen later received £300 from The Sun and £500 from the Daily Mail for sharing his story after the incident attracted widespread media attention.
Jaguar Said The False Claims Damaged Its Reputation
The runaway Jaguar story quickly spread internationally and fueled discussions about electric vehicle safety before investigators uncovered the truth.
According to testimony presented during sentencing, Jaguar Land Rover UK said the false allegations generated approximately 180 negative news stories. Company representative Murray Paul stated the automaker ultimately spent an additional £50 million on marketing efforts to counter the adverse publicity surrounding the case.
Judge Ian Unsworth KC described Owen’s actions as a calculated deception that placed police officers and the public in danger.
“You set in train a course of conduct which caused a significant police traffic operation to be deployed, undoubted alarm to the public and very substantial loss and disruption to others,” the judge said during sentencing.
Driver Also Banned From The Road
Along with the four-year-and-three-month prison sentence, Owen was banned from driving for five years following his release. Defense attorney Daniel Travers described his client’s actions as “frighteningly stupid,” while noting Owen had no previous criminal convictions. His father characterized him as someone who “lives in a fantasy world.”
Following the sentencing, Merseyside Police Detective Constable Michael Doyle said investigators quickly determined Owen had maintained full control of the Jaguar throughout the incident and emphasized that workers on the roadside and other motorists had been placed at serious risk by his actions.
What do you think about this case? Were you surprised by how far the scheme went, and do you think the prison sentence was appropriate given the danger it created for police officers and other drivers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.