Car involved in violent Blackpool incident stopped by police.

A car involved in a violent incident in Blackpool that was linked to organised crime was stopped by police an hour and a half later in Altham.

Blackburn magistrates heard the driver was under the influence of two drugs, and when officers searched the vehicle, they discovered two machetes.

James Barnes, 39, of Marlborough Street in Burnley, has pleaded guilty to two counts of drug driving and two counts of possessing a bladed article in public place.

He was jailed for four months.

Deputy District Judge Matthew Wallace stated that the incident in Blackpool, in which machetes were used, involved serious violence and could have been linked to organised crime.

“You are not charged in connection with that, and you say you collected this vehicle for someone else,” said Deputy District Judge Wallace.

“When the police attempted to stop you, you drove away at high speed and only came to a halt after hitting a kerb and puncturing a tyre.

“You said the weapons found in your boot weren’t yours and you were just going to get rid of them,” Deputy District Judge Wallace stated.

“That is the same explanation you gave when you were found with an imitation firearm in your boot in August.”

The prosecutor, Susheela Regala, stated that the Audi in which Barnes was stopped had been involved in a serious incident in Blackpool in which machetes were used.

The car was driven dangerously while evading police.

She stated that Barnes was stopped on Burnley Road in Altham and found to be in possession of cannabis and a cocaine derivative.

Mark Williams, defending, said the author of the pre-sentence report implied that Barnes had been in Blackpool and had something to do with the incident there.

“He is not charged with anything to do with that incident,” Mr Williams added.

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