What happened to Father Sion Hughes Carew after the car crash?

Father Sion Hughes Carew was arrested, convicted of drunk driving, banned from driving, and now faces a formal disciplinary process which could lead to him losing his holy orders.

Who is Heather Bell from The Archers?

Heather Bell is an 81-year-old actress who has played Clarrie Grundy on the Radio 4 soap opera The Archers since 1979. Her partner's car was involved in the incident.

Did the Bishop of Lincoln give permission for his car to be taken?

No, a spokesman for the Diocese of Lincoln stated that Bishop Conway had no knowledge of the car being taken and did not give permission for it to be used.

Home / Crime and Justice / Vicar Wrecks Bishop's Car After Binge

Vicar Wrecks Bishop's Car After Binge

24 Nov, 2025

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Summary

A vicar was arrested for drunk driving the bishop's car.
The vicar crashed the bishop's vehicle into an actress's boyfriend's car.
The vicar faces disciplinary action, potentially losing holy orders.

Father Sion Hughes Carew, 40, is under formal disciplinary proceedings by the Church of England, risking his holy orders after a drunken escapade involving the Bishop of Lincoln's official car. The vicar was apprehended by police after crashing the £50,000 Kia Sportage into a parked Skoda Octavia, belonging to Brian Meagher, the partner of Archers actress Heather Bell.

The incident unfolded recently after Father Hughes Carew and Bishop Stephen Conway reportedly shared drinks. Later that evening, the vicar, apparently barefoot and intoxicated, took the bishop's car without permission, driving it approximately half a mile before colliding with the Skoda twice and subsequently hitting a garden wall. Witnesses reported hearing the commotion and seeing the bishop's car lodged in the debris.

Father Hughes Carew pleaded guilty to driving with an alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit. He was banned from driving for two years, fined £873, and ordered to pay further costs and surcharges. The Diocese of Lincoln confirmed the disciplinary process is underway, emphasizing the bishop had no prior knowledge of the car being taken.