A FORMER gym boss must pay back the £55,000 he made from illegally selling steroids to customers.

Christopher Jones supplied the drugs to users of the former Titans Gym in Rayleigh, which he owned, between May 2016 and November 2018.

The 45-year-old, who previously competed in national bodybuilding competitions, was sentenced in February for 13 counts of being concerned in the supply of Class C drugs along with Gary Hope, of London Road, Benfleet.

They both received suspended prison sentences, but now a proceeds of crime act hearing has been held into Jones’ ill-gotten gains.

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

Payback - Christopher Jones

At Basildon Crown Court on Wednesday, prosecutor Mark Mullins told Recorder Paul Sharkey that Jones had £165,409.49 in assets, and that the total amount that he gained from the selling of the steroids was £55.479.25 over the two years.

Recorder Sharkey said: “The benefit from the criminal conduct is £55,479.25.

“Available to that is £165,409.49. I make a confiscation order in the sum of £55,479.25 to be paid within three months.”

Recorder Sharkey told the court if the money was not paid in that time Jones would face 12 months in prison.

Mr Mullins of the prosecution also made an application for costs of £1,500, which must also be paid within three months.

Steroids are a Class C drug and under UK law can only be legally bought from a pharmacist with a prescription.

The gym and the defendants’ addresses were raided by police, where the steroids were found, as well as a separate storage unit.

Jones, of Knights Way, Brentwood, was previously given 200 hours of unpaid work and a curfew.

In August, Jones posted on the Titans Gym website that he was closing the gym down due to a new housing development coming into place, but he hoped to open a new gym in the Rochford area before the end of the year.