A man who ran off when police officers who were trying to clamp down on the sale of drugs in an Ipswich park said they were going to search him for drugs has denied being part of a county-lines drug dealing operation.

Giving evidence during his trial at Ipswich Crown Court Sheldon Beaumont-Williams denied that he was planning to sell heroin and crack cocaine found on him following his arrest in Alexandra Park.

He also denied being responsible for drug related text messages allegedly found on mobile phones in his possession.

Beaumont Williams, 22, of Gordon Road, London, has denied possessing class A drugs with intent to supply and possessing criminal property.

The court has heard that plain clothes officers approached Beaumont-Williams while he was sitting on a bench in Alexandra Park on February 16 and told him he he was going to be searched for drugs. He ran off but was detained nearby by other officers.

When he was searched he was found in possession of five £10 wraps of crack cocaine, £107 cash and mobile phones which were found to contain messages consistent with drug dealing.

The trial continues.