Fleeing e-scooter rider detained by cycling officer

A fleeing suspect lost control and tumbled from an illegal e-scooter after trying and failing to outrun a police officer on a bicycle.

Two officers were patrolling on electric bikes on the afternoon of 6 May 2025 when they spotted Graham McCarthy riding the scooter along Carlton Road.

McCarthy, who was believed to have links to local drug supply, was holding a roll-up cigarette as he was followed and instructed to pull over.

For the next ten minutes he continually refused to comply – repeatedly swearing at officers as he weaved dangerously in and out of traffic and pedestrians.

As he made his way through St Ann’s and towards Nottingham City Centre, McCarthy ran through a red light and drive straight towards a bus, causing the vehicle to break sharpy.

The unusual pursuit came to an end a short time later when McCarthy – riding in excess of 20mph – lost control near the junction with Lower Parliament street as he attempted to pass a bus.

After tumbling to the ground McCarthy was swiftly detained by the pursuing officer and arrested.

He later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without insurance and driving without a licence.

McCarthy, aged 43, of Denstone Road, Nottingham, also pleaded guilty to criminal damage after repeatedly banging his head against the inside of a police van on his way to custody.

He also pleaded guilty of possessing Class B drugs with intent to supply after being caught in possession of synthetic cannabinoids in May 2024.

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday 16 March he was jailed for 75 weeks and disqualified from driving for 19 months.

PC Elizabeth Shone, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“This was certainly a lot slower than the average police pursuit, but McCarthy certainly put himself and others in danger during this incident.

“He had multiple opportunities to stop and be dealt with at the side of the road, but chose instead to greatly increase the seriousness of his offending by leading us on this lengthy pursuit.

“Fortunately, he avoided serious injury during the subsequent crash, which very clearly shows the inherent dangers of attempting to ride these devices at such high speed.

“As McCarthy has now discovered, Private e-scooters are treated in the same way as any other mechanically propelled vehicles when offences of this nature are committed.”