An Australian bodybuilder who was caught trying to import large quantities of anabolic steroid powder has successfully avoided prison with the use of the “bullying defense”. According to an Australian newspaper, Brenton Dowell had imported enough steroid powder to last him for 61 years. Dowell would have been able to use 1000mg/ml per week for six decades.
Brendon Philip Dowell pleaded guilty in late March 2011 to three counts of illegally importing anabolic steroids and two counts of possessing anabolic steroids.
The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service had intercepted a total of 3,181 grams of testosterone powder ordered by Dowell over a three month period. Three packages were mailed in September, October and November of 2011. They were shipped to the homes of Dowell, his father and his stepfather.
Such a large quantity of steroid powder has been consistent with its use by underground laboratories (UGLs) for the purpose of producing large quantities of steroids for sale on the black market. Three kilograms of raw steroid hormone powder could have provided the active ingredients for 1500 – 10 milliliter vials of finished product.
Defense attorney Len Hartnett maintained that the steroid powder was intended primarily for Dowell’s personal use. He argued that Dowell suffered from severe body image dissatisfaction and became obsessed with bodybuilding. Steroid use and bodybuilding were merely a response to the bullying attacks he received as a young overweight boy. Hartnett argued that the steroid powder was intended for the personal use of his client.
Victorian County Court Judge Graeme Hicks was influenced by Hartnett’s characterization of Dowell’s experience as an overweight child.
“As a result of being bullied and being overweight, you’d decided to take up body building,” Judge Hicks said. “As your counsel submitted, it would be fair to say that you became somewhat obsessed by such an activity.”
Based on the defense arguments, Judge Hicks concluded that Dowell purchased the steroids primarily for personal use with a limited number of sales to friends to help finance his ongoing use of high-dosage steroids.
Judge Hicks sentenced Dowell to a two-year suspended sentence and a $10,000 fine.
Source:
AAP. (April 17, 2012). Bodybuilder imported steroids: court. Retrieved from http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/bodybuilder-imported-steroids-court/story-e6frfku0-1226330049157
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