Steroid possession case is stark reminder for Jersey bodybuilders

Friday 10 February 2017

A budding bodybuilder has been given a suspended sentence for possession of illegal steroids - just weeks after a local PT described the drugs as "rife" in Jersey.

Luis de Sousa Rebelo (24), from Portugal, appeared before the Magistrate’s Court this week for possession of drugs, and obstructing a police officer.

PC Taylor was on patrol when she observed Mr Rebelo and another man acting “suspiciously” and so instigated a ‘stop and search’.

The Court was told that Mr Rebelo was initially uncooperative and there was a struggle with PC Taylor, but as back-up arrived, he began to cooperate. He indicated that he had disposed of two syringes of steroids behind a wall on the approach of the police officer. 

The Court heard how Mr Rebelo had recently begun training to compete as a bodybuilder, but grew concerned at his lack of muscle growth. He subsequently obtained information from a fellow body-builder at his gym as to how he might increase his muscle mass.

Pictured: The Magistrate's Court, where Mr Rebelo's case was heard.

Advocate Coffey, defending, told the Court: “Language barriers and intellectual ability may have impaired his judgement.”

“You have no idea what effect these drugs could have on you. It was extremely foolish of you to dabble in steroids. By all means, go to the gym, but do it legally,” Assistant Magistrate Peter Harris told the defendant. 

Mr Rebelo was handed a six-month suspended sentence, with the warning that, should he appear before the bench again in that time for drug-related reasons, the Court would take it very seriously.

It comes after Express broke the story of local personal trainer Cameron Elliott, who previously suffered from steroid addiction and described the a condition as "rife" on the Island.

Pictured: Physique Transformations founder Cameron Elliott told Express that he steroids from the age of 16, “...up until about 20 months ago.” (Photo: Cameron Elliott)

He spoke out against the drugs after suffering three fits due to the drug abuse, which was sparked by a drive to become "shredded."

He explained that the drugs harmed him physically as well as mentally, having "...almost destroyed my relationship with my family and friends" due to steroid-induced mood swings.

While Mr Elliott has now fully recovered, he urges any islanders suffering from addiction to share their concerns. "I just hope that more people become open about their problems and come out about them to their family and friends. You will never know what they can do to help you until you speak about it.”