Dealer’s revenge attack after cannabis farm raid
UNCLE AND NEPHEW ‘WITH GANG BACKGROUND’ LOCKED UP BY JUDGE
A THUG injured during a break-in at his cannabis farm organised a brutal revenge attack with the help of his nephew, a court heard.
James Bligh was attacked, suffering a cut to this head, when a gang broke into his home in Openshaw, and tried to steal his produce.
Furious Bligh plotted with his nephew Ryan Bligh, and others, to retaliate by attacking a man they believed was one of those responsible for the raid.
The day after - October 30, 2017 - the man was assaulted as he walked along Ashton Old Road, prosecutor Andrea Lock told Manchester Crown Court.
Two vans pulled up near him, and a number of men got out and attacked him. He suffered life-threatening stab wounds.
Phone evidence shows the Blighs were in constant contact with each other prior to the attack.
Both James Bligh, 54, and Ryan Bligh, 46, have now been jailed.
Sentencing, Judge Alan Conrad QC said he was satisfied the incident had a ‘gang background.’
He told the pair, who are both fathers-of-three: “You both took part in planned, armed violence on the street. A number of people, not only you two, were involved.
“While it is not possible to say who inflicted the serious and life-threatening injuries on the victim, you have both admitted conspiracy to commit a violent disorder of a serious type.
“One of the evils of the drug trade is that it leads to further violent crime between rival drug dealers.”
James Bligh, of Lees Street, Openshaw, was jailed for three years and four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit violent disorder, and producing cannabis.
Ryan Bligh, of Abbey Hey Lane, Gorton, was jailed for two years and eight months after admitting conspiracy to commit violent disorder.
Defending, Alison Whalley said
James Bligh ‘needs to address anger management and his desire for revenge.’ The court heard that he had worked in the building trade with his nephew.
Ryan Bligh’s lawyer, Sarah Johnston, said that her client had ‘foolishly allowed himself to be recruited and embroiled in another’s desire for retaliation.’