A SCAMMER has been handed a community order after an attempted ruse in a bid to get himself stronger pills.

Damien McCarthy took Paracetamol from display at a Colchester chemist and placed them in a Codeine box.

He then attempted to exchange the box saying the wrong pills had been packed in a bid to get more for himself.

McCarty, of no fixed abode, admitted two counts of fraud when he appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court and failing to surrender to bail.

The 38-year-old must complete 100 hours of unpaid work and pay £85 costs.