A SPECIAL constable who chased down a suspect more than 40 years his junior has seen the criminal jailed.

SC Keith Smith, 74, was hailed as a hero in March after a foot chase saw him arrest 29-year-old John Tait on suspicion of multiple offences.

Echo:

Jailed - John Tait

Initially, Mr Smith was on patrol in Benfleet and tried to get a driver to pull over.

The car refused to stop and the special constable, who has 20 years experience as a volunteer police officer, gave chase before the driver of the car pulled over and fled on foot.

Despite his age, Mr Smith leapt out of the car and gave chase.

Following the pursuit through the neighbourhood, constable Smith located the suspected in the garden of a nearby house and managed to subdue and arrest him.

Following the arrests, Tait, 29, of no-fixed address, admitted driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, failing to stop and harassment.

On May 3, at Basildon Crown Court, Tait was jailed for two years and two months, handed a restraining order and banned from driving for two years and one month.

Mr Smith’s efforts had been widely praised on social media by various figures in Essex Police and members of the public.

He was quick to say he is just doing his job – a job he takes pride in.

Following the incident, Mr Smith, of the casualty reduction unit, said: “I’ve been a volunteer police officer since 1997 and have loved every minute of it.

“This is just one incident of many where I’ve played my part in helping to keep Essex safe.

“Being a volunteer police officer is really rewarding and I’d recommend it to anyone.”

Matt Hine, road crime manager at Essex Police, added: “Keith should be really proud of himself, not just for this incident but for the thousands of times he has helped hundreds of people, kept them safe and arrested criminals across more than two decades of volunteering for his community.”

To become a special constable, visit: www.essex.police.uk/specials.