Bolton dad jailed after drug deal in Halliwell car park

Martin Trezise, of Enfield Close, appeared at Bolton Crown Court to be sentenced on Thursday, April 9.

The 35-year-old had pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs, possession of a knife in a public place and criminal damage for two separate incidents.

Roger Brown, prosecuting, said that Trezise was arrested by police in a car park in Halliwell after they began following a car they recognised.

At around 2pm on Sunday, July 14, 2024, they said a “drug dealer walked off with another man” who was then “brought back to the car”.

Trezise was sitting inside the car when officers approached it and asked him to step out of the car.

They found drugs, £735.26 in cash and a mobile phone on him, but the other two men “did not have any drugs in their possession”.

Mr Brown said Trezise “claimed the drugs were for his personal use”, but this was “challenged by the conclusion of the evidence”.

They found around 5.12g of cocaine and 1.14g of heroin on him in several “resealable plastic bags” and “plastic wraps” with a total estimated value of £550.

Mr Brown said: “The defendant was arrested and he made some comments in the interview, but many of the answers were no comment.”

He said that though Trezise had previous convictions, he “appears to have no convictions for possession of drugs excluding alcohol”.

More than a year later, on October 14, 2025, police were given “information from members of the public” about Trezise and a woman, where “something was clearly going on”.

Martin Trezise (Image: GMP)

Mr Brown said the pair were on Bridgeman Place and Trezise was “detained by the police” who found a “lock knife” inside his jacket.

He was put in the back of a police car and “began kicking the window, causing damage”.

Tom Watson, defending, said he can’t point to Trezise’s record of 16 convictions for 23 offences, including a “considerable sentence” in 2011 for GBH with intent, as a positive, “but there are gaps”.

Mr Watson said the father-of-four had “got himself a job” and “a relationship” after being released with no run-ins with the law between 2017 and 2024.

But, in what he called a “sad state of affairs”, Mr Watson said his now ex-partner has “moved on with her life”.

Mr Watson said this was “the start of him getting involved in drugs” and “began something of a downward spiral”.

He said Trezise had met a new partner, which “caused more problems”, and his mother and sister “don’t speak to him” anymore.

Mr Watson said: “He took part in a reduction programme of methadone and managed to get himself drug free – then managed to get himself completely methadone free as well.

“He’s done well ridding these drugs from his life in custody”.

He added that Trezise had “concerns about housing” and “ending up exactly where he was” after he’s released.

Mr Watson said: “This offending is not something he’s known for at all.

“Yes, it’s street dealing, but he’s taking all of the risk, and he’s almost certainly being used by others.”

He said Trezise was trying to pay off a debt of £1,200 but that he told him “it never seemed to reduce”.

Mr Watson said: “He was an addict himself at the time.

“Only time will tell, I accept that – but he’s showing the right signs and the right attitude.

“He’s already wasted enough of his life in custody, he’s going to waste more – but he doesn’t want to waste all of it.”

Recorder Nicholas Flanagan said: “It’s difficult to understand – having served a long prison sentence and managed a stable living – why you committed these offences.

“You must appreciate that drugs blight people’s lives and communities in general.”

Tresize was jailed for three years and three months.