Coventry Market trader who sold steroids to body builders escapes jail - The Coventry Observer

Coventry Market trader who sold steroids to body builders escapes jail

Coventry Editorial 30th Jan, 2017   0

A TRADER who was ‘shovelling out’ steroids to body-builders from his stall at Coventry Indoor Market has escaped being jailed for his illegal activity.

Sirfaraz Hussain pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court to six charges of possessing a variety of different steroids in January last year with intent to supply them.

He also admitted possessing the proceeds of criminal conduct, relating to more than £3,000 in cash found at his home, after initially denying that charge.

Hussain (36) of Bromyard Road, Sparkhill, Birmingham, was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison suspended for two years.




Prosecutor Robert Forrest said that in January last year police officers saw someone acting suspiciously near to Coventry Indoor Market, so they followed him inside.

After seeing him go to Hussain’s stall they stopped him and found he had some cannabis on him.


So they then searched the stall where, although they found no cannabis, they discovered 16 packets containing a total of 520 steroid tablets of various types.

Mr Forrest said the steroids, which are defined as being class C controlled drugs, ‘offer enhancements for athleticism and an advantage in athletics.

Hussain was arrested for interview in August, after the tablets had been tested, and the police went to his home where they found further steroids and quite a lot of gym equipment.

“They also found several used needles, suggesting this was someone who himself used steroids.”

The officers also found £3,060 in cash in a safe, which Hussain claimed he had saved over about two months at £50 a week – but it was pointed out to him that ‘the maths don’t add up.’

And on a mobile phone were text messages from people requesting the supply of steroids, added Mr Forrest.

John Edwards, defending, said: “The amount of steroids can be a little misleading, because these drugs are consumed in vast quantities by those who do body-building and the like.

“A box of ten of these drugs lasts just over a week, and they are readily available on the internet.”

But Mr Edwards conceded: “That is not to belittle what he’s been doing from his market stall.

“A married man with three children, he works at this market stall selling protein supplements and sports equipment.”

Sentencing Hussain, Recorder Christopher Tickle told him: “You have very wisely pleaded guilty throughout this indictment.

“These are prohibited drugs. They count as class C drugs. There is a big market in them, and here you are at a market stall just shovelling them out.

“This is behaviour which has to be recognised as illegal and not in the best interests of athletes at all or of ordinary people. Yours is a significant role, because you are selling direct to the public.”

Recorder Tickle said a hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act in relation to the money found at Hussain’s home should be adjourned to a later date.

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