"Self-medication is never a good idea"

Tuesday 22 June 2021

A professional diver who used Class C substances to help him sleep and stay strong has been sentenced by the Magistrate’s Court, after border agents found him in possession of the tablets at Guernsey Airport.

Aaron John Henry Leaman, 32, was travelling into Guernsey from Southampton on 24 March this year when customs officers asked to search his luggage.

They found six 20mg temazepam tablets and 59 oxandrolone tablets; leading to Leaman's arrest on suspicion of importation. He was later charged on two counts of importing Class C drugs.

Pictured: Leaman was arrested at Guernsey Aiport.

During his defence, Advocate Sam Steel said Leaman used the drugs to help with a strenuous and difficult career.

The Court was told how Leaman will dive for up to eight hours at a time on underwater construction sites, having worked on various projects around the world. 

Advocate Steel argued that Leaman uses temazepam to help him sleep, and oxandrolone – a steroid – to build muscle mass and keep him fit.

“In other places around the world he has bought these substances over the counter,” said Advocate Steel.

Pictured: Oxandrolone is a steroid and a class C drug in Guernsey.

Judge Graeme McKerrell said Leaman’s drug use had clearly got out of hand, that he should have known better, and he’d diluted his future career opportunities.

It was said that Leaman had already lost out on work in the Gulf of Mexico and Indonesia, two of many jurisdictions that take drug convictions into account when allowing visas.

“You’re treading a fine and dangerous line," said Judge McKerrell. "Self-medication is never a good idea."

Leaman was sentenced to 130 hours community service.