Sex offender leads police on 85mph chase without ever dropping his vape

A criminal led police on a high-speed helicopter chase along windy country roads and then a daring foot chase – all without letting go of his Lost Mary.

Sex offender Jordan McGrath-Culstock is seen racing away from police at 85mph in Cuxton, Kent, before crashing into a fence.

In footage from a police helicopter, he dashes his phone but not his vape before fleeing on foot along farmers’ fields.

Still with a vape in his hand, officers could be heard in the video ordering him to ‘get it out [of] your hand.’ 

The pursuit took place on April 11 after patrol officers spotted a vehicle with no tax or valid MOT.

Checks revealed it was registered to McGrath-Culstock, who was also disqualified from driving. 

When he failed to stop, officers pursued the vehicle with the help of the National Police Air Service, which tracked the car from overhead.

As part of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order, the 26-year-old offender was not allowed to possess a phone without notifying the police.

Still clinging on to his vape, officers could be heard in the video ordering him to ‘get it out [of] your hand.’ 

The discarded phone was later recovered by 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 for more than two years, less than six months after being released from prison.

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.’