Man jailed after taking drugs into music festival

A man who brought thousands of pounds worth of drugs into a music festival in Daresbury has been jailed.

Matthew Clarkson, of Toft Hill in Durham, was sentenced to three years.

The 25-year-old appeared at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday 6th October after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs.

At 5pm on Friday 22nd August 2025, Clarkson was at Creamfields music festival where he was seen leaving the campsite area to enter the main arena.

A security officer saw him behaving suspiciously and asked if he was in possession of any drugs.

Clarkson produced a snap bag containing traces of white powder. He then removed a black sock which he had tried to conceal in his trousers which contained wraps of powder and pills.

These were confirmed to be around £600 worth of MDMA, £430 worth of 2CB, up to £1,500 worth of cocaine, and up to £1,800 worth of ketamine.

He was later charged with the offences.

PC Lisa Green said:

“Clarkson would have had countless opportunities to dispose of the drugs before he entered Creamfields and this is why those who choose to ignore the countless warnings against bringing drugs into the festival are dealt with robustly.

“In interview, Clarkson said he had been ‘naïve and stupid’. He is now serving time in prison for this decision, one which will stay on his record upon his release.

“I hope this sentence warns others that drugs supply offences are treated very seriously, which is reflected in this significant period of imprisonment.”