A MAN accused of being at the centre of heroin dealing in Felixstowe has denied running a drugs business.Jamieson Friston, 32, told a jury at Ipswich Crown Court, although he had been a heroin user, he had not supplied the drug to anyone else.

A MAN accused of being at the centre of heroin dealing in Felixstowe has denied running a drugs business.

Jamieson Friston, 32, told a jury at Ipswich Crown Court, although he had been a heroin user, he had not supplied the drug to anyone else.

He said when three undercover police officers posing as heroin users started ringing him up asking for heroin he hadn't wanted anything to do with them.

He said he and his girlfriend had decided to make an effort to stop using drugs because they didn't want to lose their young son who was on a child protection register.

Friston, of Reedland Way, Felixstowe, has denied conspiring to supply heroin in January and February this year. Also before the court are Phillip Crampin, 36 and Dean Rudduck, 30, who both live in flats in The Walk, Felixstowe, who have also denied the charge.

The court had heard that two further defendants Christopher Page, 29, of Grange Road, Felixstowe, and Stephen Robinson, 35, of The Walk, Felixstowe, have admitted their part in the conspiracy.

The court has heard that three undercover police officers posed as heroin users in Felixstowe earlier this year as part of "Operation Adnams".

Christopher Morgan, prosecuting, alleged that Friston was a director of a heroin supplying business and the other defendants allegedly provided safe houses at which drug deals could take place.

Giving evidence yesterday Friston told the court he had been a heroin user for 10 years and had bought the drug from people at his home. However he denied supplying anyone with the drug himself.

He said he was unemployed and had paid for his heroin use by buying and selling goods, including tobacco.

He admitted appearing before courts in the past charged with a variety of offences including burglary, theft and deception and said he had committed crimes to fund his drug habit.

He said that Christopher Page may have given the impression to the undercover officers that he was a heroin supplier to create a smokescreen to protect his real supplier.

The trial continues.