A JUDGE spoke about the ‘enormous drain’ that Creamfields Music Festival is on Cheshire taxpayers before jailing a Lymm man.

During the case of David Bemrose, judge Patrick Thompson referenced the level of policing required to tackle drug issues at the Daresbury festival.

Bemrose, of Lymmington Avenue, Lymm, attempted to smuggle drugs into Creamfields – concealed up his bum – but made officers aware of this upon entering the site.

At an earlier hearing, the 33-year-old pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with the intent to supply, possession of ecstasy with the intent to supply and attempted possession of ecstasy with the intent to supply.

He appeared before Chester Crown Court last Thursday for sentencing.

Prosecuting, Clare Jones told the court that the offences took place at around 2.30pm on Saturday, August 28.

She said that Bemrose had various bags of drugs up his bum which were concealed in balloons.

These bags contained cocaine and MDMA. But seven snap bags of what Bemrose thought contained MDMA actually contained caffeine.

He admitted possession of the drugs and said some were for himself and that he would be giving a quantity to his friends.

But Ms Jones said that Bemrose only admitted to this after passing various signs which warn festivalgoers of the consequences of taking in drugs, several amnesty bins and posters. As well as a warning on the tickets.

She also said that when his phone was analysed, there were messages referencing he was ‘sorting everyone’s drugs’.

The court heard how Bemrose has no previous convictions.

Defending, Gareth Roberts said: “He has pleaded guilty to what we all know are very serious offences.

“He is a man who has never been to prison and has never been in any trouble – that in itself is a devastating reality.”

Mr Roberts said that Bemrose knows he has brought ‘shame’ and ‘embarrassment’ on his family and is remorseful.

Referencing the messages on Bemrose’s phone, Mr Roberts said that this was just ‘banter’.

He also told the court that Bemrose has ADHD and before Creamfields had been to rehab to tackle his cocaine use.

Before sentencing, Judge Thompson said: “It seems to me that it is probably not the best idea to come out of rehab and go to Creamfields Music Festival – the biggest drug festival in Europe.”

He also said that it is ‘quite clear’ that Bemrose’s intention was to ‘make money’ and ‘take drugs’ at the festival.

Referencing the ‘enormous drain’ on the resources of the Cheshire taxpayer, judge Thompson added: “It is quite an operation to try and tackle this issue.”

Judge Thompson shared with the court the number of police officers who worked each day of the festival:

  • Thursday: 144
  • Friday: 180
  • Saturday: 187
  • Sunday: 182

“Those who involve themselves in the traffic of class A drugs at this festival must understand that when they are caught, they will face significant punishment,” judge Thompson added.

“In past years, people have lost their lives at the festival and suffered serious injuries from taking class A drugs.”

He also mentioned how Bemrose ignored ‘sign after sign’ and all of the amnesty bins.

Bemrose was handed a two and half year prison sentence.