Daniel Spargo-Mabbs death: 'Identity parade formality' missed

Daniel Spargo-Mabbs died after taking ecstasy at a rave in Hayes

Police failed to ask a witness for a description of a suspect alleged to have supplied drugs to a teenager, a jury heard.

Daniel Spargo-Mabbs, 16, died after taking ecstasy at a rave in Hayes, west London, on 17 January.

Ryan Kirk, 21, from Beckenham, south London, denies supplying class A and class B drugs.

Isleworth Crown Court heard that a formality was "missed" at an identification parade.

Defence counsel Roderick Jones said the mistake left police with a "less than certain identification" of the suspect.

Giving evidence, Det Con Tracey Wilson said she had conducted "maybe 10 or 15" identity parades and was familiar with the procedure.

Question 'was missed'

Mr Jones said a witness should be asked to describe the person they remembered before the parade began.

He asked the officer: "In this case there was no first description, was there?"

Det Con Wilson replied that the initial question "was missed".

On Tuesday a witness, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the jury he was 80% sure the person he picked out during an identity parade was the person who delivered the drugs.

Tyrone Silcott, prosecuting, told the jury they should focus on whether Mr Kirk was that person.

Nicqueel Pitrora, 18, from Croydon, has admitted being concerned in the supply of a class A drug on 17 January.

'Needed extra money'

Questioning Mr Kirk, the prosecutor pointed out that he had admitted to having just 65p to his name when he was arrested.

He put it to him that he "needed some extra money" and "saw a way of getting some extra cash".

Mr Kirk replied: "No", adding that he had "never given anyone drugs".

Some cannabis and £185 in cash was found in the room Mr Kirk shared with his brother, the jury heard.

But the defendant said he knew nothing about the cannabis.

The trial continues.