A drug dealer from rural Derbyshire who called himself the “Pablo Escobar of Buxton” has been jailed. Liam Churchman, also known as Liam Hartley, was sentenced at Derby Crown Court to a total of five years and nine months.
Arrests and evidence
Churchman was first arrested in June 2023 after police attended an address in Fairfield Road, Buxton, following intelligence about drug dealing. Investigators found messages and videos on his phone relating to the supply of cocaine and cannabis, including mass marketing messages about a drug dealing operation based in the area.
The phone also contained videos of Churchman with large amounts of cash and footage of him shrink wrapping and packing large bags of cannabis, reports DerbyshireLive.
Further arrests
While investigations were ongoing, Churchman was arrested again in February 2024 in Fairfield Road, where he was found behind a sofa. On that occasion, a small bag of cannabis and a mobile phone were seized, and mass marketing messages advertising the sale of drugs were found once more.
In September 2025, officers went to a property in St James’ Court, Harpur Hill, where cocaine, scales, dealer bags and a mobile phone were seized, and Churchman was arrested for the third time. More mass marketing messages were found on the phone, along with text messages between Churchman and the staff he employed as part of his dealing operation.
Messages and charges
In the messages, Churchman referred to himself as Buxton’s answer to Pablo Escobar and also made threats to cut people’s ears off as well as other violence.
The 37-year-old, of no fixed address, was charged with three counts of being concerned in the supply of cocaine, being concerned in the supply of cannabis and being concerned in the supply of diamorphine. He was also charged with dangerous driving in relation to an incident on February 4, 2024, when he was seen driving a Mercedes in Buxton without a licence or insurance.
Dangerous driving and sentencing
During that incident, officers followed the vehicle as it travelled from Bench Road onto Lathkil Drive before it accelerated to get away from the police. After turning onto Pictor Road, the Mercedes failed to stop when officers activated the blue lights, mounted the kerb, accelerated past a Land Rover which was blocking Churchman's way before crashing and then speeding off.
Churchman admitted the offences and appeared at Derby Crown Court for sentence, where he was jailed for a total of five years and nine months.
Detective Constable Peter Flanders, who led the investigation, said: “Throughout our investigations, Churchman attempted to minimise his role in this operation but the evidence was clear that he was responsible for the operation of this drugs line and the staff he employed to run it.”
“The dangerous driving incident shows just how far he is willing to go to evade justice but as he now knows, you can’t run from us forever.”
“These have been lengthy investigations but it is good to see these matters brought to a conclusion and Churchman behind bars, where he belongs.”
