A man accused of trying to hire a hit man not realising he was an undercover police officer claimed he was drugged before they met.

Tariq Darwish, 41, of Herbert Road, Sompting, denies soliciting to murder his former wife Wafaa between November 24 and 30, 1999.

At a trial at Lewes Crown Court, Darwish's barrister, Camden Pratt QC, said his client could not remember anything about his first meeting with the undercover officer, referred to as Mark.

Nightclub bouncer Mahwoud Zahiri told the court how Darwish was very excited at the prospect of someone "doing her".

Mr Zahiri, also known as Tom, allegedly turned down an offer of £10,000 and large quantities of gold in return for killing Mrs Darwish, of Haynes Road, Worthing.

Instead the court heard he helped Sussex police by arranging a meeting between the undercover police officer and the defendant.

Mr Zahiri, who has known Darwish for 20 years, said: "At first I did not think he was serious.

"He was quite ill, he was on medication and ended up in tears every time he saw his children.

"It was only when I saw the £10,000 I realised he meant it.

"I went along with it but I also told him it was not the right thing to do.

"I told him it was crazy and asked him what would happen to his two children."

The court heard in return for his role as an informant, officers gave Mr Zahiri a reference to use in a separate court case involving his wife and son.

Mr Zahiri denied he had invented the story or that he had drugged Darwish before the meeting with the undercover officer.

The trial continues.