Latest news with #Macauley
North Wales Live
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
The real life North Wales story behind new BBC drama Confessions of a Steroid Gang
A new BBC series has revealed how a steroid empire based in North Wales was dismantled, partly through a dodgy dog grooming shop set up to launder the money being made. Confessions of a Steroid Gang tells the real life story of Macaulay Dodd and his father Andrew who were jailed after their £1m steroid lab was uncovered. The three-part series reveals how Macaulay, portrayed by Rhondda-based actor Garin Williams, first became addicted to steroids at 15 in the pursuit to achieve the perfect body before he would go on to cook up £1.2m worth of the Class C drug. Although anabolic steroids are a Class C drug, there is an exemption for personal use. Struggling with his relationship with his dad following his parents divorce, Macaulay latched onto his older, gym-going brother and his circle of older friends. His trips to the gym soon turned into something darker when he began injecting steroids at 15, becoming addicted to build the perfect body. His dad, Andrew Dodd, was also struggling. A former Dee estuary fisherman, he was desperate to change his circumstances when he had a chance encounter with a man in the pub who introduced him to the world of steroids. Hearing that 1.5 million people in the UK were using the drug, he decided to get involved. The pair reconnected when Macauley was 18 and living out his car in Deeside before they moved to St Asaph, where they set up their steroid lab in a remote farmhouse. It started as a small scheme in a garden shed but quickly evolved into one of the UK's biggest underground steroid labs, Renvex. The pair were importing the raw ingredients, mainly synthetic testosterone, from China, and formed a network of members of the public who would accept parcels for them without asking questions. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now Speaking on the show, Andrew said: "I didn't really class myself as a criminal. I'd just seen myself as a business owner." A police operation in London eventually led to the discovery of a large quantity of steroids in a flat belonging to Terence Murrell, an online dealer who was buying from Renvex. Documents at the home led police to find a payment to a dog grooming business that Andrew and Macauley had set up in Ruthin to launder the money. North Wales Police closed in on the father and son's operation. They were arrested in a dawn raid and police finally uncovered the lab at the centre of it all. Andrew said it "felt like a relief at the time", fed up of "deceiving" those around him. Both Andrew and Macauley were sentenced to spend five years in prison in 2018. Despite their court-room bust up, they spent their time in prison together, which Macauley said "saved" their relationship. Including testimony from steroid users, experts and those affected by the culture, Confessions of a Steroid Gang shows how image-obsessed social media, testosterone supplements and a booming black market collided and highlights the health risks of unregulated steroid use and addiction. Speaking on his involvement in the series, Garin Williams, who played Macauley said it was the "biggest project" he'd been involved in so far. "As an actor, you want to show as much emotion as possible on screen and with this story about Macauley's life I had a great opportunity to do so."
Rhyl Journal
12-08-2025
- Rhyl Journal
Series shows how North Wales steroid empire was dismantled
The three-part 'Confessions of a Steroid Gang' tells the story of Macaulay Dodd and his estranged dad, Andrew, who built a backyard steroid empire in St Asaph. What began as a chance to earn a few quid for the pair quickly became a global operation and a ticking time bomb. That was eventually undone, in part, by a dog grooming shop they set up to launder all the cash they were making. Andrew Dodd was a cockle fisher on the Dee estuary and was raising his two sons on his own following a divorce. A chance encounter with a man in a pub led to Andrew deciding to enter the steroid business, after hearing that 1.5 million people in the UK were using the drug. Anabolic steroids are classed as a Class C drug, but there is an exemption for personal use. After his parents split-up and his relationship with his dad was in pieces, Macaulay latched onto his older brother and a circle of bigger, older lads. What starts as gym trips and idol worship soon turns into something darker: steroid injections at 14, a growing dependence on 'gear', and an addiction to building the perfect body. While Macaulay found confidence in his growing physique, his dad Andrew was struggling. A former fisherman and cockle picker, he was broke, raising kids alone and desperate to change his circumstances. That's when he met a man in the pub who introduced him to the underground steroid scene and he saw a way out. It's illegal, but he thinks it will be easy. Raw powders shipped from China. Homemade labs set up in sheds. High margins and low risk – at least to begin with. The father and son duo reconciled when Macauley was 18 and living out of his car in Deeside. They upped sticks and moved to St Asaph, where they set up shop in a remote farmhouse, and the lab was born. Including testimony from steroid users, experts and those affected by the culture, 'Confessions of a Steroid Gang' shows how image-obsessed social media, testosterone supplements and a booming black market collided and highlights the health risks of unregulated steroid use and addiction. Episode one - which airs at 9pm tonight (August 12) on BBC One - traces how Andrew and Macauley come together to form what would become one of the UK's biggest underground steroid labs: Renvex. Selling to gym-goers from around the world they tap into a booming market driven by unobtainable body ideals. What began as a small-time scheme in a garden shed morphs into a lucrative operation involving Chinese imports, a home lab, fake websites and shady distribution networks. Speaking on the show, Andrew said; "I didn't really class myself as a criminal. I'd just seen myself as a business owner." A police operation in London led to the discovery of a large quantity of steroids in a flat belonging to Terence Murrell, an online dealer who was buying from Renvex, run by Andrew and Macauley. Documents at Murrell's home led police to find a payment to a 'dog grooming business' in Ruthin and the walls began closing in on the North Wales operation. Call history among customers showed Andrew's name on the logs and police tailed him from there on out. Both he and his son were arrested and police discovered what was a million-pound operation - something which Andrew said 'felt like a relief at the time' as he had been 'deceiving' his family and friends. Both Andrew and Macauley were sentenced to spend five years in prison in 2018. Speaking on the series, Macauley says that their time in prison together 'saved' their relationship. Andrew added: "I've paid for what I've done. It wasn't right, I know that and I'd never do it again." The first episode of 'Confessions of a Steroid Gang' airs at 9pm tonight on BBC One. Alternatively, you can watch all three episodes on BBC IPlayer.
Hamilton Spectator
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
The Martin Boys capture top spot in NB Excellence Awards
Public vote crowns Woodstock brothers N.B.'s top musical act as festival season kicks off On June 26, NB Excellence announced winners in 56 categories, with The Martin Boys taking home the People's Choice Award for Original English Band/Musician in the Arts and Culture category. 'We didn't even know we were nominated, so winning came as a surprise. It's nice to be recognized though for such awards, makes us feel good,' said Macauley. Starting April 10, New Brunswickers had three weeks to nominate their favourites in categories like food and drinks, retail, and arts and culture. The top 10 nominees in each category advanced to the voting round, where the public can choose who they think should win. With the duo's biggest fan, their mom Krista, sharing the win on Facebook, the brothers have garnered a loyal following and are feeling the love after the big win. 'The support was incredible, the same way it's been the entirety of our musical journey. Really proud of that,' said Micah. The brothers said they're hopeful the recognition could pave the way for more awards down the line, adding they're focusing on keeping the momentum going. After winning second place on Season 5 of Canada's Got Talent, the brother act has lined up shows spanning Alberta and New Brunswick, including the Calgary Stampede, which drew a record-breaking 1.47 million visitors over its 10-day run. 'We are super pumped for our upcoming shows. Especially for the Calgary Stampede, playing there will be a dream come true for us. We're hoping to draw a fairly big crowd, even though we have an early afternoon time slot,' said Macauley. The brothers will be playing at the Calgary Stampede at the Coca-Cola stage and the Ranchman Stampede/Country 105 stage on July 13. Other summer concerts include: Fredericton: Saturday, July 19 at 6:30 p.m. — East Coast Talents (Get Off The Bus Concerts & Fredericton Tourism) Saturday, Sept. 6 at noon — New Brunswick Provincial Exhibition Neguac: Friday, July 25 at 8:30 p.m. — Neguac Country Music Festival Saint John: Sunday, July 27 at 2 p.m. — BOXCAR Country Music Festival Cape Tormentine: Friday, Aug 1 at 8 p.m. — Cape Tormentine Beach Music Festival Nashwaak Bridge: Sunday, Aug. 3 (time to be determined) — Nashwaak Music Fest Gagetown: Friday, Sept. 12 (time to be determined) — Queen's County Fair Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
USA Today
25-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Boston Celtics jersey history No. 22 - Ed Macauley (1950-56)
The Boston Celtics have had players suiting up in a total of 68 different jersey numbers (and have three others not part of any numerical series) since their founding at the dawn of the Basketball Association of America (BAA -- the league that would become today's NBA), worn by well over 500 players in the course of Celtics history. To commemorate the players who wore those numbers, Celtics Wire is covering the entire history of jersey numbers and the players who sported them since the founding of the team. With 25 of those jerseys now retired to honor some of the greatest Celtics to wear those jerseys, there is a lot of history to cover. And for today's article, we will continue with the third of four people to wear the No. 22, Hall of Fame Boston big man alum Ed Macauley. After ending his college career at Saint Louis, Macauley was picked up with the fifth overall selection of the 1949 BAA draft by the (defunct) St. Louis Bombers. The St. Louis, Missouri native would play the first season of his pro career with the Bombers, and was picked up by Boston in the team's dispersal draft after his rookie season. His stay with the team would span six seasons, coming to an end when he was dealt to the (then) St. Louis (now, Atlanta) Hawks in 1956 for fellow Hall of Fame big man Bill Russell. During his time suiting up for the Celtics, Macauley wore only jersey No. 22 and put up 18.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.
Global News
31-05-2025
- Climate
- Global News
Alberta windstorm's path of destruction damages homes, uproots trees
A powerful windstorm swept through parts of Alberta on Thursday. Environment Canada says the path of the storm was between Slave Lake and Red Deer with the epicenter of the damage between Edmonton and Leduc. Wind gusted up to 130 km/h in some parts and the storm only lasted around four minutes. At Pigeon Lake, the roof was ripped off of a part of the Cedar Crest Inn. Contractors told the owners that there were shingles underneath the tin roof that reduced the damage. Louis Bull Tribe owns and operates the Inn, the RV park, and Pigeon Lake's golf course. 'A lot of our trees were uprooted, our grounds crew was really busy today, chainsaws out removing everything they could and getting everything ready, and we're currently open,' said Shaleigh Raine, Louis Bull Tribe lands and consultation manager on Friday. Story continues below advertisement Raine said for the past five years, the tribe has been working hard renovating and revitalizing the area to make it a community hub. She said they had recently got funding and architectural plans in place to start renovations on the Cedar Crest Inn to be complete in the fall. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'We had to focus on the golf course, then the RV park, then now we are moving to the Cedar Crest Inn, so it is just unfortunate that the storm had to hit when we were moving at such a fast pace,' said Raine. She said fortunately there was no water damage inside the inn, but the damage from the storm will set them back. Raine said she hopes to have the renovations complete by fall 2026. Calvin Macauley was inside watching the Oilers game when the storm hit Itaska Beach at Pigeon Lake. 'I came outside just in time to hear the crack, and the one go down on his house over there,' said Macauley. He saw two massive trees fall on his neighbours cabin. On the lake, several docks flipped over and turned. Around 15 minutes later, he says, he received the Alberta Emergency Alert on his phone. 'We've been out here 20 years now and this is only the second time we've seen a storm that bad,' said Macauley. Story continues below advertisement At Edmonton International Airport, high winds forced the departure level of the terminal to temporarily close due to airborne debris, while inbound flights were also redirected to Calgary. The damage affected some structures, signage, the roof of the south pedestrian pedway and several vehicles that were parked in the parkade. 'My understanding is we have not seen winds that strong in more than 60 years, so our structures definitely are being assessed today. We are taking a look at what needs to be fixed, what needs to be inspected,' said Erin Isfeld with YEG airport corporate communications. 'For the most part, nothing extremely significant and the number one thing here for us is that no one was injured.'
