Jersey advocate David Steenson jailed after drunkenly driving over a mile from crash scene
A Jersey defence advocate has been jailed for seven months after admitting to a series of drink-driving offences committed just days after completing a community service sentence for an unrelated assault.
David Steenson, 57, appeared before Jersey’s Magistrate’s Court where he pleaded guilty to four charges: drink-driving, failing to stop and report an accident, and two counts of dangerous driving. The court heard that on 16 May 2025, Steenson crashed his blue Jaguar into a white Mini Cooper on La Route de St Jean before driving away while the car’s front wheel was twisted at a 90-degree angle, scraping along the road.
The incident occurred just ten days after Steenson had completed a community service sentence for assaulting a taxi driver — an offence also fuelled by alcohol in 2024.
Prosecutors told the court that after the crash, Steenson continued to drive for more than a mile despite the severe damage to his vehicle. Police later located him and administered a roadside breathalyser test, which showed he had 82 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath — more than double Jersey’s legal limit of 35 micrograms.
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The driver of the Mini Cooper, who had been taking her daughter home from a dance event, suffered whiplash and has since experienced persistent difficulty sleeping. The court was told Steenson had been under the “drunken, impaired belief” that he had struck a pavement rather than another car.
Photographs released by the States of Jersey Police showed the extent of the damage: the Mini Cooper’s wheel torn off, and the Jaguar missing a tyre and wing mirror.
Defence counsel told the court that Steenson was “deeply ashamed” of his behaviour and recognised the serious lapse in judgment that had led to the crash. She added that the defendant’s established reputation and professional achievements as a lawyer made his fall from grace “even greater.”
Magistrates were reminded that the incident took place less than two weeks after Steenson completed his previous community service order, raising concerns about the recurrence of alcohol-related offences.
In sentencing, the court stressed the need for deterrence and public protection, noting that as a legal professional, Steenson had been fully aware of the consequences of drink-driving yet had chosen to ignore them. The seven-month custodial term reflected both the seriousness of the offence and the aggravating factors of fleeing the scene and recent previous misconduct.
Steenson’s conviction marks a dramatic decline for a once-respected advocate. His actions have drawn significant local attention, given his prominent standing within Jersey’s legal community.
The court also heard that Steenson initially denied consuming alcohol before the collision but later failed the breath test. The Magistrate described his decision to drive in such a condition — and to continue doing so after the crash — as “reckless and wholly irresponsible.”
The ruling underscores the zero-tolerance approach Jersey’s courts continue to take against drink-driving, particularly when it involves individuals in positions of trust.
The injured driver has been recovering from her physical injuries but continues to experience emotional distress following the event. Police have since reiterated calls for the public to report suspected drink-drivers and reminded motorists of the severe penalties that can follow.
With his seven-month sentence now confirmed, Steenson faces professional repercussions in addition to imprisonment, including potential disciplinary proceedings concerning his right to practise as an advocate on the island.