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The Daily Mirror seems to have a special interest in demonizing anabolic steroids and bodybuilders in sensationalized coverage of violent crimes. If a bodybuilder has committed a violent crime, the Daily Mirror is certain to blame steroids.
The Daily Mirror's most recent treatment of steroids involved the case of personal trainer and bodybuilder Francis Skachill of Broughton, Salford. Skachill was convicted of rape, attempted rape and assault. The 39-year old bodybuilder raped one client who sought him out to help her get in shape. While he was on bail, he attempted to rape another one whom he had met online.
Skachill's crimes are indefensible and the sexual predator deserved every day in prison that he received and then some. However, the Daily Mirror was not content to condemn a depraved individual who was guilty of horrific crimes. The tabloid made ever effort to link the crimes to anabolic steroids and, to some extent, weightlifting and bodybuilding in an effort to portray the activities as deviant and dangerous.
The Mirror headline suggested that Skachill took steroids (and cocaine) immediately “before attacking women”. The tabloid said he used the drugs to “heighten his sexual appetite.” He even introduced his victims to steroids. Skachill allegedly characterized himself as a caveman who believed violence was the answer to everything.
The rapist also “regularly showed off his muscles in social media images”. The Mirror published no less than 5 photographs taken from Skachill's social media accounts featuring him lifting weights, flexing and displaying his muscular physique for the camera.
Skachill had a long history of violence that included several previous convictions. These previous crimes involved offenses like biting a girlfriend on the chest, cutting off a woman's hair, squeezing a police officers testicles and leaving a man with permanent brain damage during an assault.
Minshull Street Crown Court Judge Stuart Driver QC couldn't understand how the criminal justice system had allowed such a violent man to continue walking free on the streets.
"I do not know how it came to be that a man with a criminal history such as yours would come to work alongside vulnerable individuals with no idea who they are dealing with,” Judge Driver said. “It is clear you are a man with a propensity for violence and I am satisfied that you present a serious risk of harm to the general public, in particular to women. You will not be released from custody until you are considered safe. I am certain that you are not now.”
Skachill deserves every punishment that he has coming to him. The Daily Mirror should not attempt to minimize the depraved crimes of this monster by assigning blame to steroids.
Skachill was sentenced to 15 years in prison by Judge Driver QC on May 23, 2016.
The Daily Mirror's most recent treatment of steroids involved the case of personal trainer and bodybuilder Francis Skachill of Broughton, Salford. Skachill was convicted of rape, attempted rape and assault. The 39-year old bodybuilder raped one client who sought him out to help her get in shape. While he was on bail, he attempted to rape another one whom he had met online.
Skachill's crimes are indefensible and the sexual predator deserved every day in prison that he received and then some. However, the Daily Mirror was not content to condemn a depraved individual who was guilty of horrific crimes. The tabloid made ever effort to link the crimes to anabolic steroids and, to some extent, weightlifting and bodybuilding in an effort to portray the activities as deviant and dangerous.
The Mirror headline suggested that Skachill took steroids (and cocaine) immediately “before attacking women”. The tabloid said he used the drugs to “heighten his sexual appetite.” He even introduced his victims to steroids. Skachill allegedly characterized himself as a caveman who believed violence was the answer to everything.
The rapist also “regularly showed off his muscles in social media images”. The Mirror published no less than 5 photographs taken from Skachill's social media accounts featuring him lifting weights, flexing and displaying his muscular physique for the camera.
Skachill had a long history of violence that included several previous convictions. These previous crimes involved offenses like biting a girlfriend on the chest, cutting off a woman's hair, squeezing a police officers testicles and leaving a man with permanent brain damage during an assault.
Minshull Street Crown Court Judge Stuart Driver QC couldn't understand how the criminal justice system had allowed such a violent man to continue walking free on the streets.
"I do not know how it came to be that a man with a criminal history such as yours would come to work alongside vulnerable individuals with no idea who they are dealing with,” Judge Driver said. “It is clear you are a man with a propensity for violence and I am satisfied that you present a serious risk of harm to the general public, in particular to women. You will not be released from custody until you are considered safe. I am certain that you are not now.”
Skachill deserves every punishment that he has coming to him. The Daily Mirror should not attempt to minimize the depraved crimes of this monster by assigning blame to steroids.
Skachill was sentenced to 15 years in prison by Judge Driver QC on May 23, 2016.
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