Police have issued a warning about the dangers of steroid abuse after a gym owner and a doorman were jailed for running an “industrial” scale supply operation. One of the detectives involved in the investigation said while many people don’t consider steroid misuse in the same way as other drug-taking, working on the case had made him realise much steroids can impact negatively on people’s lives.
Last month Lee Ablitt and Christopher Thompson were jailed at Mold Crown Court for conspiracy to supply class C drugs after more than 1.3million steroid tablets and 65 litres of liquid steroids were found in storage units around north Wales and the north west of England. In one of the lock-ups in Rhyl police also found a suitcase containing £483,968 in cash. The court heard that the haul of drugs was worth between £1.5m and £2.1m.
North Wales Live reported that 50-year-old Lee Ablitt, of Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside, was sentenced to five years in prison and Christopher Thompson, aged 49, of Wigan, to 33 months for their roles in the conspiracy. Sending the pair down Judge Rhys Rowlands said they had been dealing in “industrial” amounts of steroids. For the latest court reports, sign up to our crime newsletter here
READ MORE: Man, 33, in hospital after stabbing in Barry
READ MORE: Couple living in a tent encampment in a field told to pack up and leave
Now North Wales Police detective Chris Wynne, who was one of the officers involved with the case, is warning steroid users to be aware of the risks they are taking – and is urging anyone with concerns to seek help. He said: “Steroid abuse isn’t considered within society in the same way as taking other drugs, however investigating this case made me realise just how much they can impact negatively on people’s lives. I would encourage anyone who is suffering from side effects to seek help.
“Around one in 50 people can be affected by ‘body dysmorphic disorder’ (BDD) characterised by a deep level of distress around a perceived flaw in appearance. Muscle dysmorphia is a form of BDD. This can be focused on any aspect of someone’s appearance but in muscle dysmorphia the focus is on the size of muscles. Sufferers will believe that their muscles are not big enough, even though they may look very large to an observer. The anxiety and shame around the perceived lack of muscularity can lead to destructive and compulsive behaviours, one of which can be steroid abuse. I would urge anyone who thinks they may be struggling with this condition to reach out for help and support.”
BDD website at https://bddfoundation.org
This interactive tool allows you to check the latest crime statistics for your area: