Big Brother contestant Saxon Pepper released from prison in time for Christmas, after alleged breach of home detention order

A former Big Brother contestant, who struggled with drug problems after being evicted from the reality TV show, has spoken after being released from jail.

A former Big Brother contestant says he feels “on top of the world” and plans to spend Christmas with his children after he was released from prison on home detention bail.

Saxon Cade Steven Pepper narrowly avoided jail earlier this year when he was sentenced for a string of drugs and weapons charges.

The 35-year-old, who appeared on season eight of Big Brother in 2008, was handed a home detention order, but was taken into custody earlier this month over an alleged breach of the conditions.

South Australia’s District Court heard on Friday he had told his supervising correctional services officer he had taken methamphetamine and was going to test positive.

Prosecutor James Slocombe said he would not oppose that the breach be excused if a report was able to verify Pepper’s version of events.

Judge Joana Fuller ordered that the report be prepared, and released Pepper on home detention bail.

Outside court, Pepper, who was accompanied by his partner, said he felt “on top of the world”.

“I’m happy to be home for Christmas for the kids,” he said.

Former Big Brother star Saxon Pepper and his partner leave court after he is granted home detention bail for breaching his home detention sentence. Picture: Sean Fewster

Saxon Pepper (left) struggled after he appeared as a contestant on the Channel 10 show, which was that season hosted by Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O. Picture: Supplied

In August, Judge Fuller sentenced Pepper to two-and-a-half years with 18 months non-parole, but allowed him to serve the term on home detention.

He had been caught by police with a shotgun hidden in his wardrobe, a baton under his bed and a credit card knife in his drawer.

Pepper also had a stash of drugs, including fantasy and methamphetamine, the court heard.

The court was told that, in 2016, he was kidnapped by bikies and tortured for hours.

“Since 2017, you have been threatened by people over a drug debt and a large, heavily tattooed man said he would ‘destroy your existence when you least expect it’,” Judge Fuller said in sentencing.

She said Pepper had a “complex mental health history”, and he struggled after he appeared as a contestant on the Channel 10 show, which was that season hosted by Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O.

“Your aim on Big Brother was to be a better person, but you felt rejected after you were evicted from the house after 15 days,” she said.

“You enjoyed a taste of fame – radio and television interviews, hosting nightclub gigs – but that fame did not last.”

Earlier this week, appeared by video-link from the Adelaide Remand Centre, Pepper told Judge Fuller he’d “come a really long way”.

“I have got some ongoing psychiatrist appointments I’ve been attending and I’ve been doing really well with my drug counselling and things like that,” he said.

“It’s just a shame this has happened over Christmas and I apologise to the court.”