A convicted sex offender led police on a high-speed chase reaching 85 miles per hour along winding country roads in Kent, all while refusing to drop his Lost Mary vape. Jordan McGrath-Culstock, 26, was eventually sentenced to more than two years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges, including dangerous driving and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Chase and crash
The pursuit occurred on April 11 after patrol officers spotted a vehicle with no tax or valid MOT. Checks revealed the car was registered to McGrath-Culstock, who was also disqualified from driving. When he failed to stop, officers pursued the vehicle with assistance from the National Police Air Service, which tracked the car from overhead.
In footage from the police helicopter, McGrath-Culstock is seen racing away before crashing into a fence. He then dashed his phone but not his vape before fleeing on foot across farmers' fields. Still holding the vape, officers could be heard ordering him to 'get it out [of] your hand.' The discarded phone was later recovered by police.
Breach of order
As part of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order, McGrath-Culstock was not allowed to possess a phone without notifying the police. The 26-year-old, of Carnation Crescent in East Malling, was later charged with dangerous driving, two counts of failing to comply with the sex offenders register requirements, and two counts of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
He pleaded guilty and was sentenced on June 26 at Maidstone Crown Court to more than two years, less than six months after being released from prison.
Police reaction
Police staff investigator Natalie Armstrong said: 'He showed a complete disregard for the restrictions that allowed him to live in the community and was arrogant enough to believe he could get away with it. When spotted by a patrol he endangered other road users and seemed more concerned about his vape than the potential consequences of his driving. It is only right he is back in jail and he will receive additional scrutiny when he is eventually released.'
