Judge sends message on steroid abuse as dealer jailed

Police found various steroids during a search at the York home of Darren Sholl, including a holdall in his garage which Leeds Crown Court was told he was looking after for Stuart Garrington, a friend who was recently crowned Mr UK at the National Amateur Body-Builders' Association event.

David Dixon, for Sholl, said yesterday that for the past 20 years he had been associated with the body building world in one form or another, where he was introduced to steroids and began using them.

They varied considerably in price and on occasions he had bought in bulk to get better value, as would others, and he would share when asked.

He said Sholl had attended seminars organised by Mr Universe-type individuals sharing their secrets about using steroids for best effect. He only ever passed on the drugs to those he knew were committed body builders and who were all extremely careful about their diets and what they used, to minimise any risk.

Sholl had agreed to look after the holdall for Mr Garrington, who had recently come sixth in the Mr Universe contest, while he was away from home last year.

After his arrest Sholl had resigned from a security firm in which he was involved.

Simon Mortimerk, prosecuting, said the drugs, including testosterone and Oxandralone, were found along with a stun gun and some cannabis when North Yorkshire Police and representatives of the Yorkshire and Humber trading Standards illegal money lending team executed a search warrant at Sholl's home on June 9 last year.

No illegal money charges were pursued against him but the Korean made stun gun was in working order.

Sholl said someone had brought it to a party and left it.

Sholl said cannabis found in his freezer was for his own use as were the steroids.

However his mobile phone was seized and when checked text messages were discovered from prospective purchasers of steroids.

The 41-year-old, of Rawcliffe Drive, in Clifton, admitted possessing a prohibited weapon, possessing cannabis, and possessing Class C steroids worth at least 5,000 with intent to supply.

Jailing him Judge Geoffrey Marson QC said it was a tragedy to see someone like him in the dock of a crown court.

He had read references from many people describing his positive good character, health problems and family responsibilities.

The Judge added: "The difficulty is as you well know there was a large amount of steroids here.

"Those who passed them on did not know the end effect and a message had to be passed they should not be doing so."