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A man from FLINTSHIRE who handled several thousand pounds worth of drugs for “enjoying a luxurious lifestyle” avoided jail.
Ben Austin, 36, of Ffordd Brannan, Alltami, appeared in Mold Crown Court on October 13 for 16 cases of possession of a controlled class C drug on purpose, possession of a class B drug on purpose, and possession of a criminal Ownership in two cases.
Judge Recorder Duncan Bould said Austin pleaded guilty on all 19 counts in a pleading and preparing for trial in August, but the offenses spanned five months from 2019 to 2020.
The court heard Austin taking tranquilizers, pain relievers, and steroids himself for about a decade, but he was running a bodybuilding gym in Mold when he was first arrested in November 2019.
Recorder Bould said, “You saw an opportunity to make extra money by selling illegal drugs that you had been using for years to people who go to your gym.
“Your clients were friends of yours who came to the gym. You convinced yourself that what you were doing was harmless, but crime had no virtue whatsoever.
“You didn’t know what was in the drugs you were selling. You may have trusted your own supplier, but no one knew the origin.
“Some of these drugs are known to be extremely dangerous under certain circumstances.”
The court heard that Austin’s sale was for his own “financial gain” to satisfy his own taste for expensive items and an “expensive lifestyle,” which the judge identified as aggravating features.
However, Judge Recorder Bould said he was “impressed” with Austin’s candor as others try to “hide under other excuses”.
The court was told that Austin had purchased many thousands of pills worth several thousand pounds “in bulk”.
On November 8, 2019, Austin’s gym was searched and over £ 3,000 worth of drugs was seized.
He was later arrested at his residential address on November 13, where more drugs and £ 850 cash were found, which were believed to be the proceeds from the sale.
The 36-year-old was questioned on November 22nd and released as part of the investigation.
However, the court was told that he was stopped in a car on April 2, 2020 and “even more” drugs and money were found in it.
Judge Recorder Bould said Austin had a “leadership role” in buying and selling drugs for commercial purposes, using a legitimate business as cover.
On the Class B drug possession charge, Austin was awarded a 12-month sentence, 16 months on his admission of guilt.
For the other offenses, he was awarded a reduced prison sentence of six months, which should run at the same time, but in succession, with the 12 months.
That means Austin will be in jail for a total of 18 months.
However, given his “strong work ethic” and responsibility for three young children, as well as his lack of insult since then, the judge said he would suspend his sentence for two years.
He added, “Don’t be under any illusions, this is your last chance, it won’t be.”
Austin also has a 20-day rehabilitation obligation and 200 hours of unpaid work.
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