A BODYBUILDER from Derbyshire who has been on the run from police for five years is working at a gym in the Philippines, the Derby Telegraph can exclusively reveal.

Paul Longfield, who was the reigning Mr Britain at the time of his arrest in 2006, was charged with 14 counts of illegally dealing steroids.

He was bailed to appear at Derby Crown Court to plead to the charges in 2007 but failed to turn up to the hearing.

Now the Derby Telegraph has traced Longfield to the Fitness Connection Gym, in Angeles City, Pampanga, and last night we contacted him.

The 48-year-old, formerly of Furnace Lane, Loscoe, confirmed he was wanted by police but said he would not return to the UK – adding he was only missing "haddock and chips and the odd pickled onion".

Longfield said: "To be honest, there's not a lot for me to come back to in Derbyshire.

"All my friends in the UK say the country is in a bad state and I'm virtually married to an Asian girl here in the Philippines now.

"The only thing I miss about the UK is haddock and chips and the odd pickled onion.

"I'm nearly 50 years old, I can compete in the gym on power-lifting weights with guys half my age and I have taken steroids for a number of years.

"Around Derby I'm told there is a problem with heroin and crack cocaine and I can tell you straight that people do not mug grannies for their next fix of anabolic steroids."

Longfield claimed that using anabolic steroids, often to enhance athletic performance, was less dangerous that smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol.

Reported side-effects of using the drug include high blood pressure, liver damage and dangerous changes to the heart.

Longfield said: "It is a witch hunt.

"There are a lot of people saying in the press about steroids and how dangerous they are that don't know what they are talking about."

Further research has also shown Longfield to be involved in a company called Midas Security, which is claimed to have offices across the world, including the United Arab Emirates and Dubai.

The Midas Security website states that Longfield is an executive director.

On the site there is a video link of him competing on stage and being handed a trophy.

The site describes Longfield as having 25 years' experience in all levels of securities in the UK and across the World.

It reads: "Paul has been involved in martial arts and top-level body-building, being Mr Britain, Mr Europe and competing on world stage."

A police adviser confirmed that the person on the video was the same Paul Longfield whom officers were seeking in connection with the drug-dealing charges.

Drugs expert Steve Holme said: "From the information and weblinks provided to us by the Derby Telegraph, this is the same Paul Longfield we are looking for in connection with charges of possessing Class C drugs with intent to supply and failing to appear in court.

"I was working with Derbyshire police at the time and my role in the arrest in 2006 was dealing with the drugs themselves but I did see Mr Longfield at the time and this is the same person."

A spokesman for the Derbyshire force said it was not yet known if officers would be sent to either the Middle East or the Philippines to try to track down Longfield.

He said: "We were unaware of the whereabouts of Paul Longfield, who is wanted for failing to appear at court to face drug-related charges.

"Once the Derby Telegraph shares the information they have, we will begin to make inquiries to trace him and bring him to justice."