A drug dealer from the Peak District who called himself the "Pablo Escobar of Buxton" has been jailed for five years and nine months after being arrested three times in just over two years.
Three arrests in two years
Liam Churchman, who also went by Liam Hartley, was first arrested in June 2023 after police received intelligence about drug dealing and went to an address in Fairfield Road, Buxton, Derbyshire. 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 in the area.
There were also videos of Churchman with large amounts of cash and footage of him shrink wrapping and packing large bags of cannabis, reports DerbyshireLive.
Found behind sofa
While investigations were ongoing, Churchman was arrested again in February 2024 in Fairfield Road, where he was found behind the 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 once again found.
Both matters were still under investigation when, 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 messages relating to the mass marketing of drugs were found on the phone, as well as text messages between Churchman and the staff he employed as part of his dealing operation.
Threats and dangerous driving
In the messages, Churchman referred to himself as Buxton's answer to Pablo Escobar and made threats to cut people's ears off as well as other violence. The 37-year-old, of no fixed address, was subsequently 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 by officers driving a Mercedes in Buxton without a licence or insurance. During that incident, officers followed the vehicle 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, instead mounting the kerb, accelerating past a Land Rover which was blocking Churchman's way, before crashing and then speeding off.
Jailed at Derby Crown Court
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."
He added: "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."
