Man jailed for manslaughter after machete chase led to Sittingbourne death
Chris Maclean sentenced to 16 years for manslaughter and drug offences
Chris Maclean, a 43-year-old man, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for manslaughter following an incident in Sittingbourne where he chased another man into traffic wielding a machete, resulting in the man's death.
Maclean admitted to the manslaughter of Jay Gerrett, who was fatally struck by a car on St Michael’s Road, Sittingbourne, after attempting to flee from Maclean at around 9:10 pm on 2nd August 2025.
The incident began when Jay Gerrett met Jack Hunt on Pembury Street for a drug transaction, which quickly turned into a heated exchange. Hunt summoned Maclean and another man from their nearby homes to assist.
Maclean then provoked Gerrett into a fight before brandishing a large knife and aggressively swinging it at him. Gerrett attempted to escape but fell into the path of oncoming traffic on St Michael’s Road, where he was hit by a car and died instantly.
After evading authorities initially, Maclean was arrested in Canterbury on 5th August 2025. Upon his arrest, officers found cocaine in his possession. Charged with murder and possession of a class A drug with intent to supply, Maclean pleaded guilty to the drug offence in Maidstone Crown Court on 5th December.
Despite initially denying murder, Maclean offered a plea of manslaughter on the first day of his scheduled trial on 24th February 2026, which was accepted by investigators and the Crown Prosecution Service. He also admitted to the drug supply charge.
On 26th February, Maclean was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court to 16 years in prison as a dangerous offender.
Hunt, of Platinum Way, Borden, pleaded guilty to the cocaine possession charge with intent to supply and will be sentenced on 1st May 2026 at the same court.
Detective Chief Inspector Zoe Traynor, the senior investigating officer, commented on Maclean's delayed acceptance of responsibility: "Maclean delayed accepting his responsibility in causing the death of Jay Gerrett until the last minute, heaping anguish on his victim’s family."
She added, "We are very pleased that the investigation we completed has led to justice and the jailing of a violent man who had no hesitation in wielding a machete at a stranger in public. We hope today’s sentence brings some closure to Jay’s family."