A ST ALBANS plumber caught selling cocaine to under-cover police officers in the city centre failed to avoid prison by arguing his motivation was sexual, not financial.

Although Kevin Hulatt, 29, of Pernham Way, pleaded guilty at St Albans Crown Court to two counts of supplying Class A drugs in March last year, his barrister, Nigel Richardson, asked for clemency on the grounds that the officers , known as Mel and Janine, were attractive and had been flirting with him.

He said: "They were young and attractive. If they had been burly, male officers his interest in impressing them would have been non-existent."

Prosecutor Andrea Scott-Lynch told the court: "The Crown does not say he obtained financial benefit. He met the undercover officers in Barney's Bar and was bragging. He told the women he was a dealer when he lived in Wheathampstead five years ago, but was not a dealer any more.

"He gave his number to the test purchase officer and one of the officers took a photograph of him on his mobile with the other officer."

A week later, Hulatt saw the pair in O'Neills before giving them two wraps of cocaine for £40.

The following Saturday he sold them more cocaine after meeting them in The Beehive.

Mr Richardson said: “"Despite his drunken bragging, he was not and had never been a dealer at any stage. He had been a customer. He allowed his photo to be taken by the girls - not something a drug dealer would allow.

“Mr Hulatt was being used. The women were interested in him for himself."

He asked for a suspended sentence, claiming Hulatt had made no money from the deals.

But Judge Stephen Warner jailed Hulatt for a year, saying: "Those who are concerned in supplying Class A drugs can expect significant custodial sentences.It is a tragedy to see someone of your background get involved in this way."