A Christchurch personal trainer has admitted 156 charges of selling unlawful medicines, including anabolic steroids and testosterone.

The Ministry of Health has withdrawn another 155 charges against Phillip James Musson, 44, who remains in custody for sentencing in June in the Christchurch District Court.

Musson has also admitted charges of forgery and using a forged document, relating to a driver’s licence.

The main group of charges, laid under the Medicines Act, relate to unlawfully manufacturing and supplying the medicines.

Musson, described as a sports coach and personal trainer, has been mainly on bail since his arrest in November.

Hundreds of charges mounted up against him and he was eventually remanded in custody on March 13 when 48 more charges were laid amid allegations that he had continued to offend while on bail.

Defence counsel Pip Hall did not seek Musson’s release on bail today when Musson pleaded guilty before Judge Brian Callaghan, but he said an application for electronically monitored bail was to be heard on April 26.

Judge Callaghan remanded Musson in custody for sentence on June 27 and called for a pre-sentence report and a report on his suitability for home detention.

Some of the charges against Musson have been laid jointly with other people.

Prosecutor Sara Jamieson handed the ministry’s summary of facts to Judge Callaghan today, but did not read it in court. It runs to 100 pages.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/8532936/Personal-trainer-admits-selling-steroids