Six charged following Parklife festival and busy concerts

Six men have been charged following the weekend arrests at Parklife festival which saw over 160,000 visiting Manchester.

The festival, which took place at Heaton Park, took place over the weekend alongside a number of concerts in or around Manchester.

Over 400,000 people are estimated to have visited one of the events with hundreds of officers working alongside partners after around six months of planning.

Superintendent Andy Sidebotham, GMP’s gold commander over the weekend, said: “The weekend was exceptionally busy with over 400,000 people visiting over the space of four days for concerts and the annual Parklife festival at Heaton Park in Manchester.

“The events were a result of months and months of planning by officers and partners all across the region to make sure they were as safe and enjoyable as possible.

“Over 160,000 people were at Parklife festival alone over the two days and just over 50 were arrested. The event was thoroughly enjoyed by thousands and passed without any large-scale incidents, which, considering the size and scale of the weekend events, is a brilliant result. I would like to thank the public for their patience and cooperation on what were two very busy days for both the region, and emergency services.

“Security and our partners at Heaton Park worked meticulously alongside us across the whole weekend and weapons and drugs were seized as a result. These items could have led to fatal consequences.

“The transport network experienced probably its busiest day of the year alongside the hundreds of officers deployed and all of our partners at every single event on what was a challenging weekend.”

• Marek Ondo (08/06/1987), of Kimberley Street, Salford, has been charged with possession with intent to supply, disqualified driving, no insurance and having no licence. He has been remanded and bailed to next appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on 7 July 2022.
• Harvey McMulkin (01/04/2002), of Abbeylea Drive, Bolton, has been charged with obstructing police and bailed to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on 4 August 2022.
• Jake Twist (26/01/2000), of Neville Drive, Irlam, has been charged with possession of a bladed article. He will next appear at Manchester Crown Court for trial on 19 July 2022.
• Atiqe Edwards (16/07/2003), of no fixed address, was sentenced to eight months in a Youth Offenders’ Institute for possession of a bladed article after being found with a knife trying to enter the festival.
• Stephen Dorsey (04/08/1988), of Tabley Grove, Timperley, has been charged with disqualified driving and driving whilst under the influence of drugs. He will next appear at Stockport Magistrates’ Court on 16 September 2022.
• Mthulisi Khumalo (13/07/96), of Hollowgate, Rotherham, was charged with drink driving and bailed to appear at Manchester Magistrates Court on 4 August 2022.