DONCASTER trainer Stefy Bull recently made headlines after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply cocaine, and has all the while maintained his innocence – until now, that is. Yesterday, Bull admitted his involvement, but claimed that the Covid-19 pandemic was the cause behind his actions.
Bull, 48, most notably guided fellow Doncaster pugilist Terri Harper to world titles in three weight classes, and also previously worked the corners of Maxi Hughes, Jamie McDonnell and Jason Cunningham.
Yet, in February, it was alleged that Bull had attempted to purchase ‘significant amounts’ of cocaine through an encrypted criminal phone network, with the Yorkshireman remaining in custody ever since.
Then in June, the jury were left unconvinced by Bull’s claims of innocence, and as substantial evidence piled up against him, their decision to find the boxing trainer guilty of the crime was compelling .
At Sheffield Crown Court yesterday, Bull made a U-turn on his original plea and admitted his involvement, with his barrister, Richard Barradell, claiming that Bull has expressed regret for denying the charges and that he only did so out of ‘fear,’ as per Doncaster Free Press.
Barradell continued to explain that Bull’s ‘dreadful’ decision to enter the drug trade was also born out of fear and, more specifically, a concern that the closure of his gym – back when the first wave of Covid-19 restrictions hit the UK – would see him lose everything he had worked for.
Despite expecting to a hear the full extent of his punishment yesterday, Bull’s sentencing hearing has instead been adjourned until Friday, September 5, with Judge Peter Hampton informing both Bull and the co-accused Benjamin Williams that he requires more time to reach a decision.
However, Judge Hampton also warned Bull and Williams that ‘a lengthy custodial sentence is coming.’
