A notorious Cheshire drug dealer who went by the name ‘Monstermunchman’ has been handed a lengthy jail sentence.
Jamie Joseph Veale appeared at Liverpool Crown Court earlier this week after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs, and has subsequently been handed jail time due to being found responsible for the supply of around 17kg of cocaine through an encrypted device.
Using the handle ‘Monstermunchman’, Cheshire Police explained that the 32-year-old from Widnes used EncroChat to run his large-scale conspiracy.
If you’re not familiar with EncroChat, it was a once-secretive communications network that was used exclusively by serious and organised criminals, all before it was cracked by international law enforcement back in May 2020.
Cheshire drug dealer known by the name ‘Monstermunchman’ has been jailed Credit: Cheshire Police
After the network was brought down, Cheshire Police became part of a significant operation led by the National Crime Agency, and after joining forces and working together with the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and the Crown Prosecution Service, this eventually led to Veale being identified as a suspect.
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Data obtained from a three-week period between 19 May and 13 June 2020 showed Veale using EncroChat to operate as “a high-level purveyor of drugs”, according to Cheshire Police – with the 32-year-old being seen to negotiate prices for kilo amounts of class A drugs, and ultimately being found responsible for the supply of at least 17kg of cocaine.
Apparently, even though Veale had “no visible signs of income”, detectives found that he would regularly talk on EncroChat of staying in luxury villas overseas for months at a time, and going on extravagant holidays, as well as claiming to own a jet ski and a haul designer watches.
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On Monday 29 June 2020, Cheshire Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit
Jamie Joseph Veale from Widnes has been handed an 18 year jail sentence / Credit: Cheshire Police
After executing a warrant back in June 2020, officers raided Veale’s home and found multiple mobile devices, cash, a large amount of designer jewellery and clothing, and drug related paraphernalia – which led to him being arrested and charged with drugs supply offences.
“Despite having no job, Veale reaped the benefits of his criminal activity, owning luxury items and going on expensive trips abroad,” explained Detective Sergeant Christian Gordon.
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“He was responsible for the supply of a substantial amount of cocaine and ran his conspiracy through a platform he believed would keep him under the radar… [but] thanks to hard work, he is now facing a lengthy spell behind bars.”
DS Gordon admitted that although this case is now closed, Cheshire Police’s “fight against those intent on bringing illegal drugs into our communities” is still ongoing.
Featured Image – Cheshire Police
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Manchester’s firework displays are ‘back with a bang’ as they return from 2026
Emily Sergeant
Council-organised firework displays in Manchester’s parks are set to return from next year, it has been confirmed.
You may remember that these once-popular events have not been held since 2019, as the COVID-19 pandemic initially prevented them from taking place from 2020 onwards, and then following that, they remained paused on a trial basis while the Manchester City Council sought to ‘reprioritise funding’ to support a wider range of free community events across the city.
But now, as it seems, the door was never shut on their potential return.
An ‘improved financial position’ now means that the Council is in a position to bring firework events back, while also still continuing to support other community events.
Papers setting out the Council’s financial position show that fairer funding being introduced by the Government next year will leave the Council better off than previously anticipated, he the reason firework displays have been brought back into the mix.
The Council has admitted that ‘pressures remain’ after so many years of financial cuts, but this new funding creates the opportunity to invest in the things residents have said matter the most to them.
“Manchester prides itself on free community events and we know many people have missed Bonfire night firework spectaculars,” commented Cllr Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council.
“That’s why we are pleased to confirm they’ll be back by popular demand in 2026.
“We know that generations of Mancunians have enjoyed Council-organised displays and that free family events are a great way to bring people together… [and] now that this Government is actually investing in Councils like ours rather than the cuts we had since 2010, we can bring back Bonfire events.”
Cllr Craig said that the return of Council-organised firework displays is ‘building up for a spectacular 2026.’
More information on their return is set to be announced in due course.
Featured Image – Chris Curry (via Unsplash)
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Super League ‘Rivals Round’ fixtures confirmed, with two big North West clashes
Danny Jones
The Betfred Super League (BSL) ‘Rivals Round’ games for 2026 have been confirmed, with two big regional clashes coming in time for the spring.
Returning for 2026, the annual meeting of multiple teams coming up against their fiercest and most historic rivals will land on round seven of the calendar over the traditional Easter weekend.
Despite the competition having sadly lost Salford Red Devils following their forced relegation, local rugby fans will still be glad to see the borough of Wigan, as well as neighbouring Cheshire and nearby Merseyside clubs, coming up against each other in what is a highly anticipated fixture on the calendar.
Announcing the now fully confirmed matches this week, the total of seven matches are set to be played between Friday, 3 April and the following Sunday, 5 April.
In the Super League’s own words, there are few gameweeks more box office than the Rivals Round – “where the games mean more, hit harder and have the ability to divide towns and families.”
After the inaugural edition of the modern round in 2021, this year saw the division record a best-ever attendance of 86,080 across a six-match period, and with an extra game being played next season, we’re expecting more ground to be broken.
“The most intense and historic rivalries will go head-to-head with huge crowds anticipated, emotions running high and everyone expected to bring their A game”, say the BSL.
Huddersfield Giants v York Knights – Saturday, 4 April
Castleford Tigers v Wakefield Trinity – Sunday, 5 April
One of the most notable exclusions among the slate, of course, is that of Salford Red Devils, as various players and staff members continue to leave the club during this increasingly concerning and deep period of uncertainty.
Salford supporters have given a clear response following the decisive drop in IMG gradings:
Although they are now longer in rugby league’s premier domestic tier, Salford are still expected to take part in the Challenge Cup tournament, which begins in January.
Betfred and the RFL revealed the most recent ties on Monday, 24 November, with the Devils due to face either Royal Navy Rugby or Hammersmith Hills Hoists in the second round.
Meanwhile, with the new campaign kicking off in February, rugby fans will only have to wait a couple of months to witness the upcoming instalments in the various rivalries.
Safe to say it’s going to be a spicy Easter break.
Emily Sergeant -
27th July 2023 
