What started years ago with a dramatic e-bike incident has now escalated into yet another high-speed police chase—this time behind the wheel of a car.
Mason McGarry, a 19-year-old with a deeply troubling criminal record, has once again made headlines after endangering lives on the streets of West Sussex.
Teen with History of Trouble Jailed After Car Chase Crash
Mason McGarry has been sentenced to 12 months in a young offenders institute after his latest run-in with the law.
This time, he was caught speeding at 60mph in a 40 zone, veering onto the pavement and crashing into a lorry during a police chase in Chichester.
He had borrowed a Vauxhall Insignia and didn’t return it—prompting the car owner to call police.
When officers gave chase, McGarry didn’t stop. Instead, he drove recklessly with three passengers in the car, including his own sister.
He ended up damaging the lorry to the tune of £1,200 and barely avoided hitting pedestrians.
The pursuit ended only when he pulled into his home.
A Criminal Record That’s Hard to Ignore
According to the court, McGarry’s criminal history is extensive.
With 42 previous convictions, his offences include robbery, assault, burglary, drug possession, and multiple counts of dangerous driving.
He has also assaulted emergency workers and been involved in vehicle thefts.
Prosecutor Gary Venturi described his record as “unenviable.”
Between 2021 and 2023 alone, McGarry was convicted twice for dangerous driving.
Now, with yet another conviction added to the list, the court is struggling to see signs of change.
“Next Time He Could Kill Someone,” Says Judge
Judge Jodie Mittell didn’t mince words during sentencing.
After viewing police footage of McGarry’s reckless chase, she emphasized how lucky it was that no pedestrians were injured.
She also pointed out the terrifying risk to the people in his car—especially his sister.
“The concern I obviously have,” said Judge Mittell, “is that the fifth time, he will kill someone. That could be his sister.”
She warned him that not only is he endangering himself, but he’s also putting loved ones at serious risk.
Before handing down his sentence, she added, “The last thing any of us want to see is you being back here, having killed somebody.”
The Officer Who Lost His Career After Chasing Him
McGarry’s name first made waves in 2022 when he was involved in an e-bike police chase that ended with an officer facing criminal charges.
PC Tim Bradshaw, who pursued McGarry and his friend Dominic Mizzi in Bognor Regis, nudged their e-bike with his car bumper, causing them to crash.
The incident resulted in McGarry suffering a broken leg and led to Bradshaw being dragged through the legal system—only to be cleared by a jury.
He claimed he had used a standard “tactical contact” move that had been approved by his superiors.
The court agreed, and he was acquitted.
However, the whole ordeal took a toll on Bradshaw, who ultimately quit the force after 22 years of service.
McGarry’s Continued Taunting and the Fallout for Officers
Even after the court case, McGarry didn’t back down.
According to Bradshaw, he later encountered the teen again—this time on a bus—where McGarry taunted him about losing his job.
“He looked at me all cocky and arrogant,” said Bradshaw.
“He blew cannabis smoke in my face, bragged that he’d taken my job, and even threatened my family.”
Bradshaw said McGarry was joined by a balaclava-wearing friend who threatened to stab another bus driver, yet no action was taken.
The incident left the former officer shaken and frustrated with the system’s lack of support for frontline officers.
A Call for Tougher Action on Illegal E-Bike Riders
Bradshaw has since spoken out about the dangers posed by illegal e-bike riders and the lack of action taken against repeat offenders like McGarry.
He says officers feel constrained and hesitant, fearing legal consequences even when responding to dangerous situations.
“If we don’t grasp this reality,” he warned, “then the unscrupulous criminals causing chaos will keep running rings around us.”
A Broken System or a Broken Individual?
McGarry’s defense lawyer, Paul Walker, said the teen suffers from ADHD and has a learning disability, calling him someone with “low emotional awareness.”
He acknowledged that releasing McGarry into the community would have been a gamble.
Still, it raises big questions: Can individuals like McGarry be rehabilitated? Or is the system unequipped to deal with offenders who repeatedly put others at risk?
What Happens Next?
As McGarry begins his 12-month sentence, many are left wondering if this will finally be the wake-up call he needs—or if the next incident will end in tragedy.
With a track record as dangerous and chaotic as his, even the courts are running out of chances to give.