Bodybuilder couple who ran an unofficial ‘chemist’ by selling ‘dangerous’ steroids avoid jail
An award-winning bodybuilder couple who ran an unofficial ‘chemist’ aiming to sell £19,000 worth of ‘incredibly dangerous’ steroids to their friends have avoided jail.
Mr Britain winner Leon Levesley, 39, admitted Tuesday to possessing anabolic steroids with intent to supply back in 2019.
The fitness fanatic bought the body-enhancing drugs in bulk to make a sideline profit, Hull Crown Court heard. He also used the substances to give himself a ‘competitive advantage’ in contests.
Mr Levesley, Thorngumbald, involved his then-girlfriend, bodybuilder Clair Willie, 36, and her parents in his scheme which came crashing down when police found £19,000 worth of anabolic steroids stashed at two addresses.
Ms Willie, of Keyingham, was also charged with intent to sell, but denied the allegations. However, she has admitted to being concerned in the matter.
Experts warn the steroids could have caused ‘serious harm’ to others if they were wrongly used.
Mr Britain winner Leon Levesley, 39, has admitted to possessing anabolic steroids with intent to supply back in 2019. He is pictured in June 2022
Levesley bought the body-enhancing drugs in bulk to make a sideline profit. He involved his then-girlfriend, bodybuilder Clair Willie, (pictured Tuesday) and her parents in his scheme which came crashing down when police found £19,000 worth of anabolic steroids stashed at two addresses
Mr Levesley’s makeshift pharmacy was shutdown when police executed a search warrant at the couple’s Forge Court home in Thorngumbald and Willie’s parents residence on Ottringham Road in Keyingham.
Large quantities of anabolic steroids in tablets and vials were found at both houses. The Keyingham property was also being used as a ‘safe’ house for sending supplies of anabolic steroids.
‘Given the quantities, they were also plainly selling to other users in that fraternity,’ prosecutor David Godfrey told the court, claiming the drugs were valued at £19,000. The defence argued the value was between £5,500 and £7,500.
Recorder Peter Makepeace QC said: ‘The drugs were to be sold straight on to the public.’
‘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,’ he told Mr Levesley.
The famed bodybuilder 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.’
Experts warn the steroids could have caused ‘serious harm’ to others if they were wrongly used. Levesley and Willie are pictured together
Mr Levesley has admitted to two offences of possessing the Class C anabolic steroids with intent to supply on February 14, 2019. Ms Willie continued to deny the charges against her.
Both had, during an earlier hearing before Hull Magistrates’ Court on June 9, denied the matters and elected to have their cases dealt with through trial by jury. The new pleas were acceptable to the prosecution, the court heard.
Mr Levesley was given 150 hours’ unpaid work. Willie was given a six-month 10pm to 6am curfew.
If he had been previously 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. There were impressive references for Mr Levesley.
Levesley’s makeshift pharmacy was shutdown when police executed a search warrant at the couple’s Forge Court home in Thorngumbald and Willie’s parents residence on Ottringham Road in Keyingham
Willie (pictured) had no previous convictions, but the prosecution notes she was a Class C drug user because of her ‘bodybuilding interests.’ Official said she did not actually sell any drugs but was aware of what Levesley’s scheme and that drugs were sent to her parents’ home
Mr Levesley gave a ‘straight denial’ about the matter during police interview and Willie made no comment to all questions. Levesley had no previous convictions but had a caution from 2014 for importing Class C drugs, not anabolic steroids.
Ms Willie had no previous convictions, but the prosecution notes she was a Class C drug user because of her ‘bodybuilding interests.’
It seemed that she did not actually sell any drugs but was aware of what Mr Levesley 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.
Levesley was given 150 hours’ unpaid work. Willie was given a six-month 10pm to 6am curfew
The former partners previously competed in the IBFA British final in 2017 where Willie came second in the ladies toned figure category and Levesley came third
The former partners completed in the British final of the International Bodybuilding and Fitness Association in 2017.
Mr Levesley came third in the Mr Class 1 category and Ms Willie finished second in the ladies’ toned figure category. She has since had a daughter.
Mr Levesley previously told Hull Live in an interview: ‘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.’
After his win at NABBA Britain 2022, he took to Facebook to share his successes. He 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.’
