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Irish Post
15-06-2025
- Irish Post
Man from Ireland is finally jailed after eight years for Creamfields drug possession
A MAN from Ireland who was caught with nearly 30 MDMA tablets at Creamfields dance music festival in 2017 has finally been jailed. Aaron Godfrey, 29, twice fled Britain before finally being arrested in Spain in 2024 after flying to the country for a holiday. At Coventry Crown Court this week — eight years after being charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs — he was sentenced to two years and 10 months in prison. "It just goes to show that with a bit of perseverance and patience, Cheshire Police will always get their man no matter how many years have passed since their crimes," said Detective Neil Flemming. Interpol notice On Sunday, August 27, 2017, Godfrey was stopped at the northern entrance of the Creamfields site in Cheshire by security staff following a positive indication from a drug detection dog. As he was taken to have his hands swabbed, he was caught attempting to dispose of drugs and was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. He told officers that the 27 tablets in the package were ecstasy for personal usage and he intended to take them himself at the festival, which was due to finish just six hours later. However, officers seized Godfrey's phone upon his arrest and subsequent data from it revealed multiple text messages relating to the sale of illegal drugs. He was subsequently charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and bailed to appear at Warrington Magistrates' Court a short time later. However, he failed to appear at court and was found to have fled to Ireland. In 2022, he was arrested after flying into Birmingham and taken into custody before appearing at Coventry Magistrates' Court. He was bailed to appear at Warwickshire Crown Court at a later date but fled the country a second time, after which Interpol issued an international Red Notice alert. In 2024, Spanish police arrested Godfrey as he stepped off a plane in Murcia with a group of friends for a golfing holiday. He spent three months fighting extradition charges before being transferred to the Netherlands, where the International Criminal Courts sent him back to Britain. Upon his return in December 2024, Godfrey was handed an immediate six-month prison sentence for twice failing to appear in court and fleeing the country. He appeared at Coventry Crown Court on Wednesday in relation to the Creamfields incident, with the court dismissing his claim that the drugs were for personal use. Seven-year operation "Mr Godfrey's defence was that the drugs he was found with were for social supply to friends at the festival for no reward or payment," said Detective Flemming. "I am glad that the Judge dismissed this and the wording in his initial charge stood, this being that the drugs were for commercial supply. "What started as a relatively straightforward investigation relating to the sale of drugs at Creamfields turned into a seven-year operation that required several law enforcement agencies across several countries to work collaboratively to locate, arrest and eventually bring Aaron Godfrey to justice. "The irony is that Aaron Godfrey's refusal to take any accountability for his actions by fleeing the country not once, but twice, in an attempt to escape justice, has resulted in him landing more time in prison than he would have if he had just accepted his crimes." See More: Cheshire, Creamfields
Sunday World
13-06-2025
- Sunday World
Irishman caught with 30 MDMA pills at Creamfields jailed after eight years on run
Aaron Godfrey fled the UK twice before he was caught An Irishman who was caught with 30 MDMA tablets at Creamfields festival in the UK has been jailed after 8 years on the run. Aaron Godfrey (29) was stopped by security when trying to enter the festival on Sunday August 27th, 2017 The then 21-year-old was caught in possession of the drugs by a sniffer dog. He was taken by staff to have his hands swabbed for traces of drugs, during which he tried to dispose of a small package containing orange tablets. Security spotted the package, and when questioned, Godfrey said it contained ecstasy tablets. He said that he had the drug hidden in his trousers, but put them in his jacket pocket after they fell out on his way to the festival. He was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs. During questioning he told cops the tablets were for personal use at the festival, which was due to finish six hours after his arrival. Police seized his phone, where they uncovered multiple texts about the sale of drugs. Godfrey was charged and let out on bail. He was due to appear before the courts, but fled back to Ireland, landing himself on a national wanted list. Godfrey landed himself back in police custody in 2022, when he stepped of a plane in Birmingham. He was arrested, and appeared in court, but was bailed once again and fled. Interpol issued a red wanted notice, which resulted in his arrest last year when he arrived in Spain for a golfing holiday with friends. Godfrey fought extradition, but was sent to the Netherlands, where the International Criminal Courts ruled he should be sent to Britain to face the drug charges. He was handed an immediate six month prison sentence in December 2024 for twice failing to appear in court, and fleeing the country. He once again appeared before the courts on Wednesday, where he was handed down a sentence of two years and 10 months for the MDMA pills at Creamfields. In a statement following his conviction, Detective Neil Flemming, of the Creamfields Post Investigation Team, said he was 'glad' the judge dismissed Godfrey's claim the drugs were for his own personal use. Aaron Godfrey Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 13 2025 'Mr Godfrey's defence was that the drugs he was found with were for social supply to friends at the festival for no reward or payment, I am glad that the Judge dismissed this and the wording in his initial charge stood, this being that the drugs were for commercial supply. 'What started as a relatively straightforward investigation relating to the sale of drugs at Creamfields turned into a seven-year operation that required several law enforcement agencies across several countries to work collaboratively to locate, arrest and eventually bring Arron Godfrey to justice,' he continued. 'The irony is that Aaron Godfrey's refusal to take any accountability for his actions by fleeing the country not once, but twice, in an attempt to escape justice, has resulted in him landing more time in prison than he would have if he had just accepted his crimes.'
