Here’s one home truth about cannabis... it is filth
Judge’s words as he spares young driver jail who sped from police and left trail of drug in canal
AMAN smashed into a police car door and left a drug trail into a canal after officers smelt cannabis coming from his car.
Bradley Jones, of Rochdale, had been driving his Audi when officers pulled up alongside him and told him to turn his engine off and stay where he was.
However, he reversed and sped off, narrowly avoiding a collision with several cars, Minshull Street Crown Court heard.
After briefly stopping outside a Co-op, a police car parked in front of him, leaving the passenger door open.
Jones, 21, then drove towards the car and clipped the passenger door which a police officer was standing behind.
The hit sent a ‘ shock’ through his arm, the court heard.
Ten minutes later, officers found the abandoned car, along with a ‘cannabis trail’ into the canal, as well as 102g of the drug strewn inside the interior.
Jones previously admitted failing to stop after an accident, failing to give information about a driver, dangerous driving, possession with intent to supply class B drugs and possession of a class A drug.
He pleaded guilty on the basis that he hadn’t been street dealing, but instead was acting as a messenger and passing on the cannabis to someone else.
Prosecutor Verity Quaite told the court that on May 7 last year officers pulled up alongside an Audi in Castleton and could smell cannabis coming from the car.
“They told the defendant to stay where he was and turn the engine off, but he reversed at speed and went down the road, narrowly missing several cars,” Ms Quaite said.
After Jones clipped the police car door, Ms Quaite said: “He drove off at speed and the Audi was found 10 minutes later near a canal.
“There was a cannabis trail to the canal and strewn over the inside of the vehicle officers recovered 102g of cannabis valued at £1,024.”
Cocaine valued at £36 was found in the driver’s side door.
Officers were aware the car was registered to Jones and after asking him for the driver’s information he said he ‘had no idea’ who was driving it, but he had reported it as stolen.
Jones was said to have three previous convictions for six offences including possession with intent to supply class B drugs for which he was handed a suspended sentence in June 2018.
Mitigating, Ellen Shaw said: “He has come to court expecting to go to prison.
“The defendant has taken his own steps to become drug free. He is living at home with his parents and he has annexed himself from those hanging around on the estate. He is trying to gain employment again.”
Sentencing him, Judge Paul Lawton said: “I’m going to start with a few home truths about cannabis - it is filth and it causes sloth.
“People who deal cannabis, like you as you have previous convictions, who want that lifestyle, don’t want to go to work or contribute to society and go onto benefits.
“This is at the risk of those in society who work hard and pay their taxes. It also leads to much bigger issues associated with serious organised crime groups.
“It is dealt by many who are hindering themselves over a harmful drug.”
Jones, of Beaconsfield Road, was jailed for 10 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and handed a six month drug rehabilitation treatment programme, 30 days of rehabilitation activity requirements and a £100 fine. He was also banned from the roads for 12 months and his licence was endorsed.
WELCOME back to live music and theatre at the two best theatres in Manchester.
That superb opera from Opera North is around and singing is a real tribute to the work of the musicians, backroom staff and volunteers.
Their recent production of Beethoven’s only opera, Fidelio, was marked by excellent singing with virtually no production values.
This could be the new way forward; no more focus on costumes and sets, just great singing.
At the Royal Exchange, Bloody Elle, written and starring Lauryn Redding, is also a home to good singing. Lauryn has a powerful voice and writes her own lyrics.
I am not sure if she would have welcomed the comparison, but Victoria Wood sprang to mind; Northern, funny and lyrical.
Although she plays the guitar rather than the piano.
For actor and musician Lauryn, who is originally from York, the show is a result of the pandemic although it is something she says has always been there itching to come out.
“Although Bloody Elle was written during the pandemic, I feel like I’ve been working on it for a really long time,” Lauryn, 33, said.
“I wrote about four of the songs when I was a teenager.
“I had a lot of unrequited love when I was growing up and I realised that was exactly what needed to be included in the show.
“I wouldn’t say the show is autobiographical, but it is definitely based around my own experiences of being a young queer woman in the north.”
The story is understandable to all; girl meets girl, one Northern the other an exotic from London, opposites attract, a night out at the local bowling alley dressed in costume as a whoopee cushion and an Eddie Stobart driver, a kiss, and the world, or at least parts of the Oldham night life, are their oyster.
But the second half will remain a mystery till you get along to see the dénouement as they say in’t north.
With Covid restrictions still in place there is a guarantee that you will have a seat next to you to put your coat on.
So, what’s stopping you? Only 30 minutes on a good night to get there and no problem parking as the Manchester night life scene is not what it was. » »
Get into the festive spirit with the fabulous Thursford Christmas Spectacular, a delightful extravaganza set in a sparkling Winter Wonderland. Perfect for all ages, this unforgettable celebration of all things Christmas guarantees a truly special experience!
Return coach travel 3 nights at the 3-star Carlton Hotel, Great Yarmouth with breakfast plus 2 dinners 1 lunch at the hotel Admission to the Thursford Christmas Spectacular Free excursion to Norwich
I wasn’t allowed a dog or cat when I was younger, but I had a rabbit. As soon as I was independent, one of my priorities was getting a cat. For most of the last two decades, I’ve had a least one animal.
We’re really used to it now. Because we wear masks in rehearsals, we only take them off when we’re going for a take, so you don’t get to see someone’s face until they say ‘action’, which is a bit strange.
I’m not a party animal any more but you miss the social side of it. When it’s a sunny day and someone
Toyah, right, and Jane Danson as Leanne
We’re very lucky because we’re really close to a park, so we could her beloved cats
We watch a lot on Netflix, but we also love house and gardening programmes.
If you’d said to me 10 years ago I’d be sitting down with a glass of wine to watch Monty Don on a Friday night, I wouldn’t have believed you, but it’s just so soothing – like a sort of meditation.
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