Community service and suspended prison sentence for steroids

Wednesday 10 April 2024

A 34-year-old man has been handed a lengthy community service order for repeatedly importing steroids into the island, and a suspended sentence for possession of the drugs.

Mateusz Glaz, a support worker at the States’ autism hub, pleaded guilty to nine counts – five relating to importation and four relating to possession – of the Class C drugs in the Royal Court in February.

Glaz, a Polish national who has lived in Guernsey since 2017, and most recently on a family residence permit, wasn’t recommended for deportation by jurats.  

In August 2022 he imported 55ml of assorted testosterones and 300 tablets of clenbuterol, and later in July 2023 imported a further 400 tablets, 90ml of boldenone, and 90ml of testosterone enanthate, Crown Advocate Jenny McVeigh told the court. 

No criminal charges were brought after the first importation was detected by customs officers at the post office and Glaz was instead issued a written warning about importing such products. 

After he again attempted importation, this time using a different name for the same address, customs spoke directly with him and criminally charged him. 

In July 2023 he again imported a series of tablets and vials addressed to a family member and was arrested at the post office after attempting to claim the parcel with a blue slip. His phone was seized, and police searched his house where they found 151.5ml of testosterone, 92.5ml boldenone undecylenate, 81ml drostanolone propionate, and 158 tablets of clenbuterol. 

In interview he said he was using many supplements for personal use as part of bodybuilding preparations. His mobile phone showed evidence of searches for use of Class C drugs for bodybuilding and conversations with other users.  

Pictured: Glaz was sentenced in the Royal Court.

Advocate Chris Green, defending, urged the court to not recommend Glaz’s deportation and consider alternatives to imprisonment due to his lack of relevant previous convictions and his reputation in the community. 

He was highly regarded by his employer and colleagues with his job still available to him, a “valuable asset to the community”, and immigration officials were reluctant to withdraw his work permit provided he remained in a relationship with his partner. 

The drugs had all been for personal use in connection “with his keen interest and enthusiasm for bodybuilding” which saw him consume various steroids and attend the gym almost every day. 

“His intention was to make muscular gains and never financial gains,” Advocate Green said.  

Glaz no longer takes steroids after experiencing various health complications and had pledged to never take them again, acknowledging that his use and purchase of them was “foolish”, he added. 

Probation assessed him as having a very low likelihood of reoffending. 

Judge Russell Finch, sentencing, said the case was a “prime example of how monumentally stupid someone can be”, reoffending after warnings and being treated moderately by the Border Agency. 

Abuse of the postal system was also an aggravating factor, and it occurred against a backdrop of a “considerable increase in the misuse of Class C drugs” in the community. 

A two-year starting point was adopted, reduced by four months due to his positive references and clean record. 

But Judge Finch said his work ethic and reputation made a significant difference despite the fact Glaz could have “little cause for complaint” if he was sent to jail. 

He was ordered to perform the maximum 240 hours community service for the importation charges, as a direct alternative to 18-months imprisonment, and saw a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years for possession, consecutive to the other penalty. 

“Workwise you are an asset to Guernsey,” Judge Finch said with no deportation recommendation made.