A bodybuilder told the court that he was not involved in any conspiracy to sell or distribute anabolic steroids in a local gym. But his co-accused already pleaded guilty on the charges. The case of a bodybuilder, who is also a law enforcement officer in the Northumbria Police Department, is still being heard by the court. The trial of police officer Darren Towers, 41 of Fellgate, Jarrow continues in the Newcastle Crown Court.

The police officer who is also a competitive bodybuilder was charged together with two others for selling steroids to friends and other users in a local gym. According to the report of Chronicle Live UK, there are evidences that will link the illegal activities of Towers with the other accused. Prosecutors said that a trace in the cellphone records of the respondents revealed that steroid transactions were really happening.

“All three are linked by their involvement in professional bodybuilding and use of anabolic steroids,” said prosecutor Alex Menary. He also told the court that the three conspired together to supply steroids amongst themselves and others. “This is not standing on a street corner, this is on a low- level basis amongst users of these drugs, friends and associates in the gym where they trained,” the prosecutor added.

Martin Flett, 27, of Jarrow, and Martin Fannan, 34, of Horden, County Durham already admitted supplying a class c drug. Possession of steroids is not illegal in the UK but distribution and selling them is illegal. The 3 allegedly made the illegal transactions from April 1 2009 to April 1 2010.

Tower’s home was raided by the authorities last March 31 and 15 vials and tablets of anabolic steroids were seized. They also found legal protein powders and drinks which are common supplements for a bodybuilder.

Steroid Transactions through Text

According to the prosecutor, most of the transactions of the group were done through text. In fact, an analysis of the phone of Towers revealed that he sent 900 text messages to Martin Flett in just a two-month period. Further, Flett also texted Fannan almost 500 messages in the same period based on the report of Sunderland Echo news. “The prosecution say that it was these text messages that were used for the organization and the selling and distribution of the anabolic steroids,” said Menary.

The prosecution also argued that Towers knows what he is doing. One of the messages of Towers to Flett is to delete the messages in his cell phone, an indication that Towers is aware that the steroid transactions were illegal.

Faces Misconduct Charges

Towers is also facing a misconduct charges for failure to report the illegal transactions allegedly committed by his two friends. “He also misconducted himself by failing to report the activities of Flett and Fannan. He knew these two were dealing steroids and failed to report and investigate that,” Prosecutor Menary told the court.

Towers admitted that he had been using steroids since 2006 but argued that he only bought steroids for personal use. Most of the purchases were made online and from the United States, A local supplier in Norfolk was also mentioned by Towers. The bodybuilder never claimed that he was selling steroids to others and including his friends. Towers said Flett only got legal protein powders from him.

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