Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Monday 31st March 2025, at 15:50hrs
William Bates, a man with a penchant for self-aggrandizing rap lyrics and a flair for the dramatic, has traded his microphone for a prison jumpsuit, courtesy of a nine-year and seven-month sentence.
His downfall? A potent mix of arrogance, incriminating text messages, and a particularly ill-advised “Google me” moment.
The specialist County Lines Team had been tracking Bates since January 2023, uncovering a network where he exploited children and vulnerable adults to distribute heroin and cocaine across Leigh, Wigan, and Burnley.
A raid on his Astley home in October 2023 yielded drugs, cash, and a mobile phone loaded with evidence, including messages directing his drug dealing minions.
Bates, however, seemed to believe his own hype. While on bail, he continued his operations, leading to a dramatic foot chase through a wooded area after a failed drug deal and uninsured car escapade.
Officers found over 100 wraps of cocaine on him, along with machetes and other drug paraphernalia at a subsequent house search.
Adding to the comedic tragedy was his phone’s notes application, which contained rap lyrics detailing his supposed drug lord status and the thousands he was making.
In a truly remarkable display of hubris, he even told a drug dealer to Google him during a vacation transaction, pointing them to police-released images from the October raid.
Detective Constable Kay from the County Lines Team remarked,
“His bravado and desire to show off ultimately helped secure this conviction, with his messages providing us with crucial insight into his criminal dealings.”
She emphasized the exploitation of vulnerable individuals and the importance of community support in combating such crimes.
Bates’s lyrical claims of evading the law, “only feds wat I swerving,” proved hilariously inaccurate. Now, instead of rapping about his exploits, he’ll be serenading his cellmates with the sound of slamming cell doors.
So, remember kids, next time you want to impress someone, maybe don’t tell them to Google your criminal record.
G2K INCIDENT WATCH 