Camden man tried to sell paracetamol to undercover police after offering them ecstasy

A man who tried to sell paracetamol to undercover officers after offering them ecstasy has escaped jail.

A party-goer who tried to sell paracetamol to undercover officers after offering them ecstasy has escaped jail.

Robert Okello, 26, of Camden Park Road, Camden Town, approached the two policemen in Soho and told them he had the drug for sale on June 6.

Usha Shergill, prosecuting, said: “Okello offered to supply ecstasy, but in fact what was found on him was paracetamol, and not drugs.”

Okello admitted offering to supply class A drugs to a constable but claimed he was persuaded into the bogus drug sale by friends as a dare, Southwark Crown Court heard. Michelle Denney, defending, said: “He had been out with others celebrating a friend’s birthday. They had begun to play a game of truth or dare and he had been dared to approach somebody and offer to sell them drugs.”

Handing Okello a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, Judge Anthony Leonard QC said: “I accept you were under the influence of your friends, but I do not accept that this was a game because you would not have had those packages in your possession if that was the case.”

Okello admitted offering to supply class A drugs to a constable.