Brett Anthony Howard: Businessman in Southport court over steroids stash

A former restaurant owner was busted with a swag of illegal goods including steroids and fireworks. Read what happened when he faced court.

A GOLD Coast businessman and self-proclaimed fitness fanatic has blamed peer pressure for the stash of steroids and drug-related items found in his home.

Police searched Brett Anthony Howard’s home on August 20, where they found a Hydralyte box containing one vial each of steroids, testosterone and trenbolone in his kitchen.

Southport Magistrates Court was told officers also uncovered a clip-seal bag with a white powdered residue hidden in the same box.

Officers searched Howard’s Toyota LandCruiser and found a set of scales and two fireworks, which were taped together and had fuses attached.

Brett Anthony Howard, 24, pleaded guilty to drug charges after being caught with steroids in his home. Picture: Facebook

The 24-year-old told police at the scene that he did not know it was an offence to possess the explosives.

He appeared in court on Monday with only one minor entry on his criminal history.

Defence lawyer Nick Andrews, of SANS Law, said the Carrara man dropped out of school in Year 9 and worked several odd jobs before finding employment in the mines and ‘flipping’ houses.

He said Howard then moved to the Gold Coast area and purchased several restaurants, which he had recently sold to move into property development.

“He is an avid gym-goer and has been for a number of years, and was subsequently introduced to the drug testosterone and other steroids in the course of his gym-going,” Mr Andrews said.

“The Gold Coast region is quite rife with steroid and testosterone use, and he ultimately succumbed to a temptation in using drugs.

“He tells me he’s completely off that and is looking to make some more positive steps.”

Magistrate Gary Finger commended Howard for being a “go-getter”, but warned he could not afford to go near “that sort of rubbish” again.

Howard pleaded guilty to one count each of possessing dangerous drugs, possessing property suspected of having been used in the commission of a drug offence, and committing an offence in relation to unauthorised and prohibited explosives.

He was fined $1200 and no conviction was recorded.