Serial offender Mason McGarry’s goading of veteran PC led to 22-year career ending – but justice system allowed teen with 42 convictions to roam free
The cocky teenager who bragged about costing a hero police officer his career has FINALLY been locked up – after racking up more than 40 convictions including robbery, theft and dangerous driving.
Mason McGarry, 19, became a symbol of Britain’s broken justice system when his taunting of veteran PC Tim Bradshaw led to the officer quitting after 22 years of dedicated service protecting the public.
The serial offender – who has terrorised the streets of West Sussex on illegal e-bikes capable of hitting 60mph – is now behind bars after his latest crime spree finally caught up with him.
His imprisonment comes as a bitter vindication for ex-PC Bradshaw, 55, who was dragged through the courts for two years and three months before being cleared in just 20 minutes by a jury who saw through McGarry’s lies.
THE E-BIKE MENACE
McGarry first made headlines when he and accomplice Dominic Mizzi – who has 26 convictions of his own – were knocked off their illegally modified e-bike by PC Bradshaw in November 2022.
The officer had used an authorised “tactical contact” manoeuvre, gently tapping the back wheel of their bike with his patrol car after they:
- Rode past on the pavement giving him the middle finger
- Reached speeds dangerous to pedestrians
- Goaded officers who couldn’t pursue them down narrow alleyways
Despite McGarry suffering a broken leg in the incident, a jury at Portsmouth Crown Court took just 20 minutes to clear PC Bradshaw of dangerous driving charges in February 2025.
The court heard McGarry was riding without a licence – which he’d never held – and had previously been banned from driving. At the time of the incident with PC Bradshaw, the then 17-year-old already had more than 40 convictions including:
- Robbery
- Theft
- Burglary
- Taking vehicles without consent
- Dangerous driving
- Driving without insurance
- Assaulting emergency workers
- Escaping legal custody
- Multiple breaches of court orders
‘HE TOOK MY JOB’ BOAST
But perhaps most shocking was McGarry’s behaviour AFTER the incident. The thug couldn’t resist gloating about his role in PC Bradshaw’s prosecution.
The devastated ex-officer, who now works as a bus driver, revealed a chilling encounter with the teen criminal: “The lad jumped on to my bus as I was parked in the station. He looked at me all cocky and arrogant, telling everyone on board that I’d knocked him down but that he had taken my job.”
The brazen criminal then:
- Threatened Bradshaw’s family
- Blew cannabis smoke in his face
- Lunged at the ex-officer
- Was joined by a balaclava-wearing mate threatening to stab another bus driver
“Of course no action was taken against them,” Bradshaw said bitterly.
FERAL YOUTH TERRORISING COMMUNITIES
McGarry and his gang had turned e-bikes into weapons of intimidation, exploiting legal loopholes that allow the vehicles to be ridden without licences or number plates.
PC Bradshaw revealed their tactics: “They would sidle silently alongside a patrol car, kick its doors and taunt officers with rude hand gestures. It was impossible to catch them because they knew all the alleyways we couldn’t go down, all the nooks and crannies.”
The bikes – officially limited to 15.5mph – had been illegally modified to reach speeds of 60mph, turning them into lethal weapons on wheels.
Sussex Police had authorised tactical contact on three separate occasions to deal with the menace, but it was Bradshaw who became the scapegoat when McGarry was injured.
JUSTICE SYSTEM FAILURES
The case has exposed catastrophic failures in Britain’s justice system. Despite his extensive criminal record, McGarry was repeatedly allowed back on the streets to reoffend.
He admitted in court to being convicted of dangerous driving in November 2023 – AFTER the incident with PC Bradshaw – for “stealing a car and failing to stop for police.”
Yet still he remained free to terrorise communities.
Andy Newman, deputy chairman of Sussex Police Federation, speaking after Bradshaw’s acquittal, said: “This case demonstrates that police officers only have seconds to make decisions in order to uphold the law.
He added pointedly: “Police officers like Tim are out protecting communities 365 days a year making sure that you are safe.
A BROKEN SYSTEM
PC Bradshaw’s parting words to the media revealed his despair at a system that protects criminals over those trying to maintain law and order:
“I fear nothing will change until there’s a shift in direction from the very top. That means ensuring there are enough experienced officers to help younger colleagues find their way. It means ending the ideology of box-ticking.”
The case has become a rallying cry for those demanding tougher action on youth crime. Critics point out that while McGarry faced minimal consequences for his 40+ offences, PC Bradshaw faced:
- Criminal prosecution
- Two years and three months of legal proceedings
- The loss of his 22-year career
- Public humiliation
VICTIMS’ VOICES SILENCED
Throughout this saga, the voices of McGarry’s many victims have been largely forgotten. His conviction sheet reveals a trail of misery:
- Robbery victims left traumatised
- Theft victims counting their losses
- Emergency workers assaulted while trying to help
- Communities living in fear
Each of his 42 convictions represents real people whose lives have been impacted by this serial offender’s crimes.
THE REAL HEROES
While McGarry boasted about “taking” PC Bradshaw’s job, the reality is that officers like Bradshaw are the thin blue line protecting law-abiding citizens from criminals who believe they’re untouchable.
Bradshaw’s decision to use tactical contact wasn’t taken in anger, as McGarry claimed, but to protect the public from two dangerous individuals racing illegally modified vehicles through residential areas.
As Bradshaw explained to his fallen tormentor at the scene: “I did it to stop them endangering their own lives and those of the public.”
Now, with McGarry finally behind bars, perhaps other young criminals will think twice before following his path. But for PC Tim Bradshaw, justice comes too late – his career already another casualty of a system that too often favours the rights of criminals over those who risk everything to protect us.
The message from McGarry’s case is clear: commit 40+ crimes, torment police officers, endanger the public – and the system will give you chance after chance. But dare to do your job as a police officer trying to protect the public? You’ll be the one in the dock.
Until that changes, we’ll continue to lose heroes like Tim Bradshaw while criminals like Mason McGarry laugh all the way to their next offence.
