Big Brother star pleads guilty to drug and weapons charges – as his sad spiral into ice addiction after tasting reality fame is laid bare
- Former Big Brother contestant jailed in Adelaide for drug and weapon charges
- Saxon Pepper pleaded guilty to a string of offences at District Court on Thursday
- The 35-year-old appeared on the reality TV show in 2008 after moving to QLD
- He then spiraled into drug use after enjoying a ‘brief taste of fame’, moving to SA
- Pepper was also kidnapped, tortured by bikies at one point following the show
A washed-up Big Brother star has been jailed after pleading guilty to a string of drug and weapons charges.
Saxon Pepper, 35, turned to a life of drugs and crime after enjoying a ‘brief taste of fame’ during his 15-day stint on the reality television show in 2008.
His tragic battle with ice addiction was laid bare as he was sentenced in Adelaide District Court on Thursday.
The 35-year-old admitted to possessing a stolen double-barrel shotgun, drug trafficking, driving offences and breaches of bail.
He was jailed for two years, six months and seven days with a non-parole period of 18 months, but will be allowed to serve the prison term on home detention.
Saxon Pepper (pictured), 35, appeared before the District Court in Adelaide on Thursday, where he met his fate for the next two years, six months and seven days
Pepper (pictured) was sentenced with a non-parole period after 18 months after pleading guilty to possessing a stolen double-barrel shotgun, drug trafficking, driving offence
Pepper moved to Queensland and successfully auditioned to appear on the reality TV show in 2008, the court heard.
‘Your incentive for applying for the show was to prove that you could be a better person,’ Judge Joana Fuller said.
‘But you felt rejected after being evicted from the house after 15 days.’
The court heard Pepper then went on to enjoy a ‘brief taste of fame’ following his stint, where he made money through TV appearances, radio interviews and hosting nightclub events.
However, she said that did not last and he returned to South Australia.
While back in Adelaide Pepper continued to use drugs, including methamphetamine, and was admitted to hospital after an overdose.
The court was also told his drug use led to him accumulating significant debts and at one stage he was kidnapped by bikies and tortured for 24 hours.
Pepper (pictured) moved to Queensland and successfully auditioned to appear on the reality TV show in 2008, the court heard
The court heard Pepper (pictured) then went on to enjoy a ‘brief taste of fame’ following his stint, where he made money through TV appearances, radio interviews and hosting nightclub events
Reports also indicated Pepper had suffered from significant mental health issues since childhood that had never been properly addressed.
Judge Fuller jailed him for two years, six months and seven days and set a non-parole period of 18 months.
But she ordered the terms be served on home detention.
The judge told Pepper that with a background of serious drug abuse, he faced the prospect of going back to jail if he breached any of the conditions of his sentence.
‘You’ve asked for a chance and I’m giving you that chance,’ she said.
Pepper’s (pictured) drug use led to significant debts, the court heard, as well as being kidnapped and tortured by bikies at one stage for 24 hours