Suspected Drug-Driver Breaches Sexual Harm Prevention Order

A suspected drug-driver, Steven Shevlin, was apprehended by officers from the Specialist Enforcement Unit (SEU) near Arundel after failing to register a new vehicle with police, putting him in breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

The SEU, dedicated to denying criminals access to the road network, acted upon a request from the Violent Sex Offender Register Team (ViSOR), responsible for enforcing Sexual Harm Prevention Orders. Upon inspection, officers discovered a fraudulent registration mark on Shevlin's vehicle and found him in possession of cannabis and offensive weapons, including a baton and a knuckle duster.

Shevlin, 34, appeared before Lewes Crown Court on May 16 for sentencing, following an investigation by Crawley CID. He pleaded guilty to breaching the Sexual Harm Prevention Order imposed in 2020, which required him to inform police about any new vehicles he was driving. He also admitted to possessing cannabis, using a fraudulent vehicle registration mark, refusing a blood test for suspected drug-driving, possessing offensive weapons, and driving without valid insurance.

The court sentenced Shevlin to a total of 50 weeks in prison and a three-year driving disqualification. Drug-driving is considered one of the 'Fatal Five' factors contributing to road deaths and serious injuries.

The SEU conducted patrols in Arundel on November 23, 2022, when they stopped Shevlin driving a Ford Transit van. A roadside DrugWipe test indicated cannabis use, but Shevlin refused to provide a blood sample upon being taken into custody.

SEU Inspector Ollie Pullen stated, "Through regular proactive patrols, we disrupt criminals using our road network, while also catching intoxicated or disqualified drivers to help keep people safe on our roads. In this case, we found Shevlin in a vehicle he was required to register with the police but had failed to do so. I'm pleased that our officers caught an offender who has tried to evade police and evade his responsibilities under the Sexual Harm Prevention Order to inform the police."