A couple who pleaded guilty to being part of a drug syndicate may have been lying when they said they had turned their lives around, according to a judge.
Topless waitress Nateesha Barlin and her muscle-clad boyfriend Dylan Shaw were poised to escape prison time for their part in a ‘criminal enterprise’ importing illegal steroids and growth hormones from their Central Coast home.
Judge Michael Bozic said in June he was satisfied both had showed remorse and was considering an intensive corrections order (ICO) for the pair rather than prison time.
Nateesha Barlin (left) and Dylan Shaw (right) were arrested in November 2016 at a Central Coast granny flat and pleaded guilty to being part of a ‘criminal enterprise’ importing and distributing steroids, testosterone and human growth hormones
At a sentencing hearing in June, a judge said the pair could avoid jail as they showed remorse – but Shaw (pictured) was arrested in July after police found $200,000 in his car – and later charged with eight counts of drug supply
Barlin (left), who suffered from mild body dysmorphia according to a psychological report, could still be charged following Shaw’s (right) arrest last month
An ICO would be served as an alternative to prison in the form of community work, random drug tests and other restrictions.
But Shaw, 24, was arrested last month in southwest Sydney after police found $200,000 in his car and a search of his home uncovered steroids and drug paraphernalia – police allege.
Shaw was charged with eight counts of drug supply and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime following the arrest – and the couple’s sentencing has since been delayed.
At a sentencing hearing on Friday at Gosford District court, Judge Bozic expressed his ‘profound unease’ with the pair’s remorse – according to The Daily Telegraph.
Barlin’s lawyer said Barlin (pictured in 2009) had had a difficult childhood and was bullied for being an ‘ugly duckling’
Barlin’s solicitor said she ‘fell into’ gym culture which introduced her to steroids – and blamed her low self-esteem for her offending
The judge had taken into consideration a letter Barlin, 23, wrote to the court in June, as well as a psychological report claiming she suffered from mild body dysmorphia.
Barlin’s solicitor Michael Mantaj said her low self-esteem was the driving factor behind her offence – and that she had been bullied during her childhood for being an ‘ugly duckling’.
He added a desperation to fit in with gym culture led to an introduction to steroids.
Barlin (pictured) had low self-esteem and turned to steroids due to a desperation to fit in with gym culture – according to her solicitor Michael Mantaj
Performance and imaging enhancing drugs (PIEDs) were seized by Australian Border Force officers during the investigation into the couple’s drug empire
The pair were raided in November 2016 and ABF officers intercepted imports including 3, 672 tablets and 11.2 litres of testosterone
The court also heard the investigation which led to Shaw’s arrest last month were still ‘in its infancy’ and could lead to Barlin also being charged.
The pair’s rented granny flat behind a property in Jiliby property was raided by the Australian Border Force in November 2016.
They imported and distributed steroids, testosterone and human growth hormones, and were caught out when ABF officers intercepted 13,672 tablets, 11.2 litres of testosterone, 600ml of anabolic steroid, and 20 vials and 55 ampoules of human growth hormone.
Sentencing for the pair has been adjourned until December 13.