Buckshaw Village man carrying cocaine at riot said he thought it was pain relief for sore gum

A Buckshaw Village man who was caught carrying cocaine during riots in Bolton has been sentenced.

Liam Powell was found carrying the Class A drug as violent disorder broke out across the town centre. Powell was searched outside a pub where there was disorder and found with a small snapbag of white powder.

Manchester Magistrates Court heard his defence was that he didn’t realise it was cocaine when he bought it as pain relief for an abscess in his gums.

The 28-year-old, of Hendon Court, pleaded guilty to being in possession of cocaine and was handed a 12 month community order. He was also ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work and pay almost £200.

Violent disorder broke out in Bolton on Sunday at what was billed as an anti-immigration protest and purportedly linked to the knife attack which took the lives of three children in Southport last week. During the day, damage inflicted included two police cars being smashed.

A group of counter-protesters also turned out and eventually missiles were thrown between the two groups and metal fences erected to separate them.

Stephen Watson, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police said: “I want to thank the vast majority of law-abiding citizens of Greater Manchester who either stayed away from events over the weekend, or who took part by sharing their views in a way that did not break the law, but which upheld our democratic right to peaceful protest.

“However, it was clear that across all events, there were people of all political and cultural backgrounds who attended with the intent of causing trouble and breaking the law.

“There are consequences for inciting hate and causing damage, and those who have broken the law will be held accountable for their actions.

“Where arrests have been made, charges have been quickly sought and some offenders have already appeared before the courts and we expect to make further arrests.”

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