One of Kent’s Most Wanted criminals taunted police officers with “catch me if you can” posts online, it has emerged.

Justin Beard of River Drive, Strood, also changed his Facebook profile picture to his mugshot while he was on the run in December.

The 30-year-old, who is now behind bars, sent threatening text messages to his ex-partner and his friend, Daniel Gosling, as he believed they had started a relationship.

On December 10, Beard crashed his car into a van, breaking Mr Gosling’s ankle.

He went on the run and when he appeared on Kent’s Most Wanted list, he updated his picture to his police mug shot, commenting “Team Dan still going strong, catch me if you can”.

Other posts included a picture of him enjoying a pint in a pub and in one comment he said his life was like the Christmas episode of EastEnders.

Facebook friends encouraged him to hand himself in but Beard replied that he had “unfinished business to deal with” and that “Mans gonna get buried trust [sic]”.

On December 14, he said: “It’s game over people team Dan is coming to an end, can’t live a life on the run.”

He was arrested at Gravesend railway station on December 16.

Beard was jailed on January 13 for three years and nine months at Maidstone Crown Court for grievous bodily harm with intent and making threats to kill.

The court heard Beard drove to Vicarage Road, Strood, where his ex-partner was waiting to talk to him. Mr Gosling was also there and tried to talk to Beard, who then drove away.

A few minutes later, Beard drove back towards Mr Gosling, who was standing near a parked van. He crashed into the van – knocking Mr Gosling over.

Beard tried to reverse before getting out of his car with a baseball bat and starting to walk towards Mr Gosling before he was confronted by his former partner.

Beard ran away when the van owner arrived, and Mr Gosling was taken to hospital with a broken ankle.

Investigating officer PC Joanne Hammond said: “Fuelled by jealousy and anger, Beard carried out a prolonged campaign of hate against a former partner and friend, resulting in a violent attack.”