Sean Cleathero bodybuilder death: Pair jailed for drug offences

Sean Cleathero died after taking dinitrophenol (DNP) which was not suitable for human consumption

Two men, convicted of drugs offences as part of an inquiry into the death of a bodybuilder at a gym, have been jailed.

Sean Cleathero, 28, died in October 2012 at the Apollo Gym in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, after taking a legal chemical dinitrophenol (DNP).

Peter Purkins, 48, of Hazelmere, and Jason King, 43, of Great Missenden, were found guilty of supplying steroids, classified as class C drugs.

Purkins was jailed for 18 months and King for 13 months at the Old Bailey.

Both had to pay a £100 victim surcharge.

King was also found guilty of perverting the course of justice following the month-long trial, earlier this month.

DNP is a legal industrial chemical not suitable for human consumption, but sometimes used as a fat-burning substance, the court heard.

Purkins and King were cleared of the manslaughter of Mr Cleathero at a trial in 2014.

Two other defendants were sentenced in connection with the case last year at the Old Bailey in London.

Jamie Chivers, 35, of Spring Gardens Road, High Wycombe, was also cleared of manslaughter in 2014, but jailed for three years after admitting perverting the course of justice and production and supply of class C drugs.

Laura Hague, 24, of Gerrards Cross, was jailed for two years after being found guilty of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and conspiracy to supply class C drugs.