Joshua Hillis sentenced in Brisbane court over steroid stash

A Brisbane tradie has faced court for the very first time after his secret and “significant” stash of steroids was uncovered by police.

Joshua Crawford John Hillis leaving the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday, November 9, 2022.

A Brisbane tradie’s unsophisticated approach to buying illegal steroids led police to his home and his “significant” stash of drugs, a court has heard.

Joshua Crawford John Hillis, 26, faced Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday, November 9 and pleaded guilty to six offences relating to him buying steroids and having them sent to his Banyo home.

Police Prosecutor Harry Coburn said the young man was charged after Australian Border Force intercepted a package addressed to him on April 7 this year which enclosed a “large quantity” of ibutamoren – an S4 substance.

A search warrant was executed at Hillis’ home address some months later, on June 18, about 10.40am.

There, police found a small safe in the young plumber’s bedroom and unlocked it using the pincode he provided.

The Brisbane Magistrates Court.

A “significant” amount of steroids – including 80ml of testosterone, 20ml of Trenbolone, 10ml of melatonin, a half-full bottle of Tamoxifen, 47 tablets of raloxifene, Nolvadex, doxepin, three bottles of Dianabol tablets, and methandienone – were located inside.

Police also found a quantity of syringes and alcohol wipes, which Mr Coburn said are commonly used to administer liquid steroids such as those found in Hillis’ safe.

The young man was subsequently charged with – and on Wednesday pleaded guilty to – offences including four counts of possessing dangerous drugs, one count of possessing a thing used in the commission of a crime, and one count of buying or possessing S4 medicines.

The court heard many of the drugs found in Hillis’ possession were prescription-only and used in the treatment of breast cancer.

Mr Coburn said the prosecution accepted all of the steroids were for Hillis’ own use.

Joshua Crawford John Hillis leaving the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday, November 9, 2022.

Defence barrister Craig Eberhardt told the court there was “nothing sophisticated” about his client’s offending, and this was demonstrated by the fact the package of drugs intercepted was addressed to him and his address.

“This was just stupidity on his part,” Mr Eberhardt said.

He said Hillis had completely stopped using steroids since his stash was uncovered last year, as had been confirmed by both a doctor and a drug test.

Mr Eberhardt also noted Hillis’ pleas of guilty and his future prospects as a man with dreams of one day starting a plumbing company.

Magistrate Michael Quinn said he had taken into account Hillis’ “timely” pleas of guilty, his lack of a criminal history, and the “fair quantity” of unlawful substances found when deciding an appropriate penalty.

He referred to an old rule that ‘every dog is entitled to one free bite’, telling Hillis that although his offending before the court could be considered his ‘free bite’.

He ordered Hillis pay a fine of $750. No conviction was recorded.