Published: Wednesday, 3rd December, 2008 12:30
Weights champ in net bust
By David Moroney
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NET BUST: David Owens.
A CHAMPION weightlifter from Greenock was nabbed illegally selling a performance-enhancing substance over the internet.
David Owens, 31, sold almost 100 ephedrine pills through his website to a police officer posing as a customer.
Owens, who is a former Commonwealth Games competitor and a Scottish title holder, won the title of Inverclyde Sports Personality of the Year in 2001 for his success in the sport.
Fiscal depute Lindy Scaife told Greenock Sheriff Court yesterday that police had conducted a test-purchase over the internet.
She said: “The substance was ordered from the accused’s website and posted out to the officer that was conducting the test-purchase.
“The web address was traced back to the accused.”
When police went to Owens’ home, he admitted supplying 99 tablets over the internet.
His solicitor, Aidan Gallagher, said that Owens was still engaged in legitimate business selling ‘health supplements’ over the internet and did not know that a licence was needed to sell ephedrine.
Mr Gallagher said: “He had bought the substance himself over the internet and was going to sell it on.
“It is a lesson learned as far as he is concerned.
“He now appreciates the difficulties that he has put himself in.”
Owens, of Nairn Drive, pleaded guilty yesterday to being engaged in the sale and supply of the medical product ephedrine without licence via the internet, contrary to the Medicines Act 1968.
Fining Owens £300, Sheriff Desmond Leslie said: “It is right and proper matters are strictly controlled.”
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