A MAN attacked a police officer who tried to arrest him for selling baking soda for £40 a line.

Sidique Govinden, 23, of St Mary’s Road, Leyton, was jailed for 13 months on Friday (November 18) for offering a plain clothes officer cocaine.

Govinden approached the officer on Dean Street, in Soho, in the early hours, asking him if he “wanted girls” before offering him the fake cocaine.

When the policeman tried to arrest Govinden he swung a punch at his face, Southwark Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Alexandra Boshell said: “This was the early hours of the morning, there were plain clothes police officers in the Soho area and the defendant approached one of those officers and asked if he wanted girls.

“He then asked if he wanted cocaine and said that he could give him a line for £40.”

When Govinden started throwing punches the officer's colleague intervened and he was arrested.

Miss Boshell added: “At the police station he was strip searched and three wraps of white powder were recovered.

“It was found to be bicarbonate of soda.”

Govinden was jailed for 13 months after pleading guilty to one count of offering to supply cocaine.

Judge Anthony Leonard QC said: “You approached a plain clothes police officer and offered first to find him a girl and when that was refused a line for £40.

“You tried to punch him in the face, fortunately a second officer was able to restrain you before it went further.

“When you were interviewed you said you did that because you didn't believe he was a police officer.

“When you were strip searched three small self-sealed bags of white powder were found.”

He told the convict, who has 13 previous convictions: “You are with hope and there is a bright future ahead if you can stay off drugs.”