Gold Coast paramedic bodybuilder Marlette Le-Feuvre pleads guilty to possessing drugs, steroids
A Gold Coast paramedic and elite bodybuilder caught with a swag of drugs - including cocaine, MDMA, and steroids - at her home has been sentenced, but could still face an uncertain future. READ THE LATEST
Police & Courts
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A Gold Coast paramedic and competitive bodybuilder caught with a stash of drugs at her home has been sentenced in court – though the future of her career remains uncertain.
Marlette Chantell Le-Feuvre was ordered to complete 150 hours’ community service after pleading guilty in Southport Magistrates Court to several offences, including possessing dangerous drugs and failing to properly dispose of a needle or syringe.
Police uncovered several illicit substances – including cocaine, MDMA, and steroids – and syringes at the 31-year-old’s Maudsland home in October last year.
The court was told the cocaine and some MDMA belonged to Le-Feuvre’s former partner, with no allegation she used those drugs.
Officers also found a vial of adrenaline in the kitchen, which Le-Feuvre had not returned since mistakenly leaving it in her uniform pocket while on shift weeks earlier.
Le-Feuvre – a paramedic of almost eight years – was suspended by the Queensland Ambulance Service shortly after being charged, with further restrictions later put on her registration.
She appeared in court with no criminal history.
Defence lawyer Jamiee-Lee Jessop said in earlier proceedings on Tuesday that her client turned to bodybuilding as an escape while dealing with “personal chaos”, including the breakdown of her long-term relationship and the loss of a close friend.
Delivering her reserved sentencing decision on Wednesday, acting magistrate Sarah Thompson said she was aware Le-Feuvre would face further disciplinary proceedings after leaving court but did not find it amounted to extracurial punishment.
“It was a risk that you took knowing the potential consequences if detected - that your profession would be in jeopardy,” Ms Thompson said.
“No doubt those steps taken by those bodies were to protect the public.”
Ms Thompson said a psychologist indicated the court proceedings and related media reports had impacted Le-Feuvre’s mental health, and accepted she was “embarrassed” by further comments on sites such as Reddit.
“The media attention ... no doubt has at least in part been fuelled by your role as an influencer on Instagram and also your success in your chosen sport,” she said.
The court was told the internationally competing bodybuilder had stopped using substances and cut off negative influences, with a formal mental health diagnosis still being explored.
Ms Thompson did not record a conviction against Le-Feuvre, referencing her career uncertainty and ability to compete at an international level among her reasons.
Le-Feuvre did not answer reporters’ questions as she left the courthouse, walking quickly across the road while flanked by her lawyer and a supporter.
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