A drug dealer who nicknamed himself ‘Manc Mark’ has been jailed after being caught with £2000-worth of substances hidden up his bum.
Liam Smith, of Brynorme Road in Manchester was found in possession of heroin and crack cocaine which he’d ‘concealed in his buttocks’.
Police made the discovery on a raid of a property in Northwich in Cheshire on Friday 26 January.
Smith, aka Manc Mark, has now been sentenced to four years in jail after admitting to dealing drugs.
The 36-year-old appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday 3 May.
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He’d previously pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
The court heard that the Northwich Proactive Policing Team had forced entry into an address on Brackley Lane after a suspected drug dealer was seen entering the property.
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There they found Smith, searched him, and found the drugs he’d attempted to hide.
He was arrested, then a warrant was conducted at his home in Manchester where ‘a large quantity of designer clothing’ was seized.
Following the sentencing, Police Constable Matt Uren, of Northwich Proactive Policing Unit, said: “Northwich Proactive Policing Team are dedicated to disrupting the drug supply network and this is another example of how we are continually pursuing those intent on making money out of other people’s misery.
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“Smith’s conviction is the result of a long-running investigation involving detectives here at Northwich, with the support of colleagues from the Op Impact and Op Apollo teams.
“Intel has suggested that ‘Manc Mark’ had been an active county lines dealer in the Northwich area for a significant period of time, and I have no doubt that his conviction will have a really positive impact on the community.
“While Smith is now behind bars, our campaign against drug dealers is ongoing and we’re committed to doing all we can to can to stop drug activity on the streets of Northwich and make Cheshire a hostile place for criminals.
“You too can help us by reporting drug dealing in your area to police, every bit of information helps us to gather intelligence and close in on those dealing in illegal drugs.”
Police appeal launched after man found with life-changing injuries in Christmas Eve assault
Daisy Jackson
Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a man was found on Christmas Eve with life-changing injuries.
The man was found with series injuries to his face in Moss Side at around 6.30pm on 24 December.
Police were called to the scene on Viscount Street by the ambulance service.
It’s believed that the 49-year-old man was dragged off his bike by another man, before being assaulted on the floor and left with serious injuries to his face and head.
The victim has had to have surgery on his life-changing and life-threatening injuries, and remains in a serious condition in hospital.
GMP are now appealing for any witnesses, or anyone with information, to come forward.
Detective Inspector Lee Newburn of GMP’s City of Manchester Criminal Investigation Department said; “This is a shocking attack that has left a victim with devastating injuries on Christmas Eve.
“We are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen anything to speak to us to help us build a full timeline of events leading up to this assault, we are also appealing to those residents who live near Viscount Street to come forward if they saw anything suspicious yesterday evening.
“This could be eyewitness accounts, CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage at the time of the incident or leading up to or after the assault.
“If you have any information or footage, please call us directly on 0161 856 4227 quoting incident number 2392 of 24/12/2024 or anonymously by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
10 of the best theatre shows to see in Greater Manchester in 2025
Thomas Melia
Greater Manchester already has a jam-packed 2025 theatre schedule, and in the words of Hairspray, Manchester really can’t stop the beat.
There’s no denying that Manchester and its surrounding areas are no stranger to a live performance or two, after all, with three cracking theatres to choose from, it would be hard to miss one of these spell-bounding tours.
Without further ado, here’s a brief overview of 10 of the best theatre shows to see in Greater Manchester in 2025.
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Wicked
Palace Theatre Manchester
3 December 2024 – 12 January 2025
Wicked / Credit: Matt Crockett
The smash-hit blockbuster of the year is continuing its reign even into the New Year for two weeks of gravity defying awesomeness.
Currently nearing the end of its remarkable cinema run, thanks to leading ladies Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, continue the magic of the two witches in the form of live theatre.
Expect all the usual hits like ‘Defying Gravity’, ‘Popular’ and ‘What Is This Feeling?’, get lost in the world of Ozian storytelling and recline in your own comfy bright red theatre seat.
It’s all about star power with this musical as Johannes Radebe from Strictly Come Dancing playing Lola and the music and lyrics handled by pop icon Cyndi Lauper.
The musical follows the life of a struggling businessman who’s inherited his family’s shoe factory, all seems dire until he meets Lola a drag queen who might just solve all his problems.
‘Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical’ as its titled is directed by Aditya Chopra, the film’s original director.
Since its big-screen release in 1995, the show has never left cinemas in Mumbai, becoming the longest-running title in Indian cinema.
This stage adaptation has a huge emphasis on colliding cultures, with the Bollywood production following the love story of two lovers from different backgrounds.
Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, back in Manchester LIVE.
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The six wives of Henry VIII have a special place in Manchester’s hearts, becoming a returning favourite since its not-so-quiet 2018 debut. For those who haven’t been lucky enough to see it, imagine Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour but a few centuries earlier – it’s a pure pop celebration.
Something’s just go hand in hand – Fish and chips, tea and biscuits, and thespians and The Rocky Horror Show.
This musical carries alongside it one of the biggest fandoms of all time, and with Jason Donovan playing the role of Frank-N-Furter, the love for this production is set to grow much stronger. Manchester is no stranger to doing the ‘Time Warp’ and with the musical returning in summer 2025, they’re most definitely about to do it again.
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe / Credit: Matt Crockett
Start filling your Christmas calendar for 2025 early and enrich yourself in a classic novel set in the fantasy land of Narnia.
Watch Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter tackle enemies, face foes and create solutions while venturing through a world of wonders. You’re about to be in awe as you get whisked away to this mystical land and watch the story unfold on stage with a live cast and some mesmerising set designs.
Dates for this show are very flexible too, meaning theatregoers have lots of opportunities to see the miracle worker that is Ms. Poppins fly about the streets of London.
It’s a double Australian bill as both Stefanie Jones and Jack Chambers who are reprising their roles as Mary Poppins and Bert, respectively, are both from down under.
‘What’s Love Got To Do With It?’, ‘Proud Mary’ and ‘The Best’, you can’t deny the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll has certainly earned her royal musical status.
This monumental singer achieved 12 Grammy awards during her musical career and grew a strong cult fanbase who stuck with her through thick and thin.
Now fans and musical lovers alike can enjoy a show all about the life of the vocal pioneer while also reminiscing on some of the biggest hits of her career.
Pride and Prejudice (Sort Of…) / Credit: Mihaela Bodlovic
There are lots of fantastic productions happening throughout the year and but we had to include this one because it’s Pride And Prejudice… well sort of.
Jane Austen’s groundbreaking novel has seen itself take on numerous adaptations since it’s original hardback debut from the big screen release in 2005 to this new stage musical coming in 2025. The drama will feature some of pop’s greatest records throughout the tale like ‘You’re So Vain’, ‘Young Hearts Run Free’ and ‘Will You Love Me Tomorrow’.
Daisy Jackson -
8th May 2024 
