Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has confirmed that a drug dealer from Wigan has been jailed after storing cocaine inside coffee tins.
32-year-old Martin Bradshaw, of Ashbourne Avenue in the Aspull area of Wigan, appeared at Bolton Crown Court this week, and pleading guilty to dangerous driving, driving without insurance, possession with intent to supply a class A controlled drug, and facilitating the acquisition/possession of criminal property.
It comes after on Friday 5 June 2020, an officer spotted Bradshaw driving erratically in his Mercedes Benz along Scholes, Wigan, and attempted to stop the car, but Bradshaw began to accelerate, and eventually managed to flee the officer.
The car was spotted shortly afterwards parked up on Higher Lane in Aspull, and was then seized by officers.
The following day, after receiving intelligence that the car was linked to the supply of controlled drugs, officers said they returned to the compound where the car was being kept and forced entry to it.
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Following a search, bank cards, and a coffee tin containing cocaine were seized, as well as two burner phones, which both contained details of drug supply.
On Sunday 7 June, Bradshaw attended Wigan police station and was arrested, and following further investigation, it was uncovered that he had purchased a static caravan in Blackpool – which was subsequently seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act, as well as the Mercedes.
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Following a vehicle search, bank cards, and a coffee tin containing cocaine were seized, as well as two burner phones / Credit: GMP
Bradshaw has been jailed for three years and six months, and he has also been disqualified from driving for three years and nine months.
A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing has been set for 15 June 2022.
Speaking on the sentencing, Police Constable John O’Donnell of GMP’s Wigan District Tasking Team said: “Bradshaw’s reckless and dangerous driving not only risked the lives of innocent members of the public but it also allowed us to recover drugs from his car and uncover that he was engrained into a drug dealing chain.
“Drugs blight communities and negatively impact the lives of all those involved [and] I hope today’s sentence sends a clear message that this type of activity is not acceptable in Wigan or Greater Manchester and GMP will do all it can to target and disrupt this activity.
“Information and intelligence we receive from the public in regard to drug dealing in the area can greatly assist our investigations so I would encourage anyone who may know of or suspect someone involved in the trade of drugs to get in touch with police.”
Featured Image – GMP
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Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Emily Sergeant -
17th February 2022 
