Comical E-Scooter Chase Ends in Crash for Nottingham Drug Dealer
In a bizarre and comical incident, a drug dealer led police on a low-speed chase through Nottingham city centre while riding a 20mph e-scooter, only to crash after ten minutes of evasion. The suspect, Graham McCarthy, 43, was holding a roll-up cigarette as officers on electric bikes pursued him, capturing the entire episode on bodycam footage.
Chaotic Pursuit Through City Streets
McCarthy, believed to have links to drug dealers, refused to pull over when spotted by patrolling officers. He repeatedly swore at them while weaving dangerously in and out of traffic and pedestrians. During the chase, he ran a red light and drove straight towards a bus, forcing the vehicle to brake abruptly to avoid a collision.
The pursuit finally ended near the junction with Lower Parliament Street, where McCarthy lost control while attempting to overtake a bus, tumbling to the ground. He was immediately arrested by the cycling officer. In the footage, McCarthy blamed the police for his crash, shouting, “You made me come off in the street in front of everyone. Don’t chase me. You chase me for like two miles.”
Guilty Pleas and Court Sentencing
McCarthy later pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including:
- Dangerous driving
- Driving without insurance
- Driving without a licence
- Criminal damage for banging his head against a police van
- Possessing Class B drugs with intent to supply synthetic cannabinoids from May 2024
At Nottingham Crown Court, he was sentenced to one year and five months in prison and banned from driving for 19 months. PC Elizabeth Shone of Nottinghamshire Police commented, “This was certainly a lot slower than the average police pursuit, but McCarthy certainly put himself and others in danger. He had multiple opportunities to stop but chose to greatly increase the seriousness of his offending.”
Police Warning on E-Scooter Safety
PC Shone added that the crash highlights the dangers of riding e-scooters at high speeds, noting that private e-scooters are treated like other mechanically propelled vehicles in such offences. Fortunately, McCarthy avoided serious injury, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in reckless behaviour on these devices.
