Rear cassette 'ticking' forward, making chain catch, what is the problem and how do I solve it?
Most likely the free hub is sticking.  The grease can get old and sticky.  Service the hub.  Lots of videos on youtube. Or take the hub to a shop.  And you can wear out a hub - some parts are serviceable.  

Sticky hub is not likely to break a chain but it is a problem that needs to be corrected.