Suspended jail sentence for Bristol man caught selling laughing gas
Ansil Mahmood, 46, of Belle Vue Road, Bristol, was seen by officers selling the psychoactive substance in November last year during their plain-clothed operation
A man from Bristol has been handed a suspended jail sentence - and banned from visiting Bristol City Centre during certain times of the day - after being caught selling laughing gas (nitrous oxide).
Ansil Mahmood, 46, of Belle Vue Road, Bristol, was seen by officers selling the psychoactive substance in November last year.
Plain-clothed officers from the neighbourhood policing team ran an operation targeting the supply of the substance following reports of people harassing members of the public and threatening staff of Bristol’s bars and clubs.
On 18 November they Mahmood was spotted by officers walking among pub-goers on King Street offering to sell ‘balloons’ – small metal canisters filled with nitrous oxide.
He was subsequently arrested and charged with possessing with intent to supply psychoactive substances.
Mahmood appeared at Bristol Crown Court on 17 February and was given 12 months in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to not enter the city centre every day between 8pm and 7am thanks to also being handed a Criminal Behavioural Order, which also prevents him from possessing what the police call 'any drug paraphernalia' - which includes canisters of nitrous oxide.
Sergeant Rich Jones said: “Local businesses repeatedly told us people were illegally selling nitrous oxide outside their venues in Bristol city centre, pestering clientele and being abusive to their staff.
“We won’t tolerate the sale of psychoactive substances or any anti-social behaviour linked to it.
“While not an offence to possess, taking psychoactive substances can also lead to people putting themselves at risk of accident or injury, making them more vulnerable to crime and in some cases, heightening levels of aggression which can lead to increased incidents of violence and disorder.
“Ansil Mahmood is not just a nuisance, his actions present a real risk to the public.
“He is now subject to a criminal behaviour order which will hopefully prevent him from repeating these offences but should he be found in the city centre at night or with any drug paraphernalia then he will be arrested again.”
For confidential advice and support on drugs go to FRANK.