Shania Care-Slede, 20, has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving on the same day she is accused of starting a huge wildfire at a UK beauty spot. She admitted one count of dangerous driving at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester on Tuesday (September 29).
Driving offence details
Prosecutors said Care-Slede was seen on camera with a balloon at her mouth and inhaling nitrous oxide. She was also seen driving without her hands on the steering wheel and using her phone on July 11 this year, the same day it is alleged she committed arson, the Manchester Evening News reports.
Adam Lodge, prosecuting, said: "The video shows the rear seat passenger filming events including putting his mouth on a balloon, which the Crown says is nitrous oxide."
"He then films the driver who is shown not to be wearing a seatbelt and holding a balloon close to her mouth. The defendant also has her phone in her hand and can be seen scrolling through social media posts. In a further post, the defendant is driving her car with a balloon in her mouth."
The prosecutor said Care-Slede's driving fell 'far below' the standard expected. Nobody was hurt.
Sentence and background
Care-Slede was arrested and interviewed and provided a statement to police. The court heard she had no previous convictions.
David James, mitigating, said Care-Slede is studying to become a qualified paramedic and is undertaking courses in beauty therapy. "She recognises she needs to be punished," he added. "She is having to grow up quickly. She understands her position and what she has done."
Sentencing, Judge Neil Usher said: "From the brief mobile phone footage it demonstrates, in my judgement, seriously dangerous driving. At one stage you had neither hand controlling the car. Fortunately, your driving did not cause injury or damage."
"There is no evidence of criminal intentions. You have been punished already to a degree - you lost your home and employment and spent a short period in custody."
The judge accepted Care-Slede made a deliberate decision to ignore the rules of the road, adding that it was a 'prolonged and persistent' case of dangerous driving.
Care-Slede, of Sherbourne Road, Middleton in Rochdale, was handed a 20-week sentence, suspended for 12 months. She was ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and was banned from driving for a year.
Arson trial next year
Care-Slede was earlier also charged with arson and arson being reckless as to whether life is endangered (aggravated arson). The charges follow a wildfire that broke out near Dovestone Reservoir.
The particulars of the first charge are that on July 11, 2026 she committed aggravated arson 'destroying by fire moorland belonging to United Utilities', being reckless as to whether the life of others was endangered. The separate charge of arson alleges that without lawful excuse, she 'destroyed by fire' moorland belonging to United Utilities being reckless as to whether it was destroyed or damaged.
She faces a trial on the arson charges next year.
