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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Liam Buckler & Mark Naylor

Ex-Mr Britain champ turned unofficial 'chemist' selling 'incredibly dangerous' steroids

A bodybuilder who won a Mr Britain title turned himself into an unofficial "chemist" by selling "incredibly dangerous" steroids.

Fitness enthusiast Leon Levesley, 39, used the body-enhancing drugs to give himself a "competitive advantage" in contests.

However, the drugs could have caused "serious harm" to others if they were wrongly used.

Leon purchased the drugs in bulk to make a sideline profit for himself and involved his girlfriend - and even her parents in his scheme, HullLive reported.

However, he was stopped in his tracks when police found stashes of the anabolic steroids at two addresses, Hull Crown Court heard.

Leon, of Thorngumbald, Yorkshire, admitted two offences of possessing anabolic steroids with intent to supply on February 14, 2019. The anabolic steroids are Class C drugs.

Girlfriend Clair Willie, 36, from Yorkshire, denied possessing anabolic steroids with intent to supply but admitted being concerned in the matter.

Both had denied the matters at an earlier hearing before Hull Magistrates' Court on June 9, and elected to have their cases dealt with through trial by jury.

The new pleas were acceptable to the prosecution, the court heard.

Police executed two drugs warrants where the couple were living together at the time (Facebook)

David Godfrey, prosecuting, said that police executed two drugs warrants where the couple were living together at the time.

And the other at the address of Clair's parents, which was being used as a "safe" house for sending supplies of anabolic steroids.

Large quantities of anabolic steroids in tablets and vials were found at both houses.

"Given the quantities, they were also plainly selling to other users in that fraternity," said Mr Godfrey.

The prosecution claimed that the drugs were valued at £19,000 but the defence claimed that it was between £5,500
and £7,500.

Leon gave a "straight denial" about the matter during police interview and Clair made no comment to all questions.

He had no previous convictions but had a caution from 2014 for importing Class C drugs, not anabolic steroids and Clair had no previous convictions.

Recorder Peter Makepeace QC said: "The drugs were to be sold straight on to the public."

He told Leon: "You took them to give yourself a competitive advantage.

"You were supplying directly to others. What you have been doing is effectively turning yourself into a chemist."

Leon was deciding what he thought was a "wise quantity of steroids" for others to be taking but this was "incredibly dangerous" and there was "all the potential for causing serious harm".

Large quantities of anabolic steroids in tablets and vials were found at both houses (MEN MEDIA/HULL LIVE)

If he was convicted of another similar offence, there was no question that he would be given an immediate prison sentence.

"You know that you are basically handing yourself into prison," said Recorder Makepeace.

Clair was a Class C drug user because of her "bodybuilding interests" but it seemed that she did not actually sell any drugs.

However, she was aware of what Leon was doing and that drugs were sent to the home of her parents.

"I take the view that you were led into this by your co-accused," said Recorder Makepeace.

"There has been a massive delay in this case," said Recorder Makepeace.

No mitigation was requested for either defendant after Recorder Makepeace gave an indication of the sentences that he had in mind.

Leon was given 150 hours' unpaid work and Clair was given a six-month 10pm to 6am curfew.

The former partners completed in the British final of the International Bodybuilding and Fitness Association in 2017.

Leon came third in the Mr Class 1 category and Claire finished second in the ladies' toned figure category.

He has previously said: "We are both feeling really good and positive. It is 100 per cent dedication.

"It takes over your life, to be honest. It is one of those sports where it is 24/7. You are training three times a day."

Leon won at the NABBA Britain 2022 finals, run by the National Amateur Body-Builders' Association, and later said: "I'm absolutely buzzing. I was honestly not expecting this.

"It's always been a dream of mine to win a Britain title and I finally did it. It makes all the hard work and sacrifice worth it. I went into the overall but, unfortunately, didn't get it.

"But that doesn't dampen my spirits after I've won my Mr Britain title.

"Thank you everyone for all your supportive comments. They all do mean a lot to me."

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