A FORMER heroin addict today told an Ipswich murder trial how the teenage victim was a successful drug dealer.Ipswich Crown Court heard Gordon Williams give evidence in the trial of Paul Dwyer, 37, of no fixed address, who is accused of murdering Peter Brown, of Hackney.

A FORMER heroin addict today told an Ipswich murder trial how the teenage victim was a successful drug dealer.

Ipswich Crown Court heard Gordon Williams give evidence in the trial of Paul Dwyer, 37, of no fixed address, who is accused of murdering Peter Brown, of Hackney.

The 19-year-old was stabbed to death at a flat in Parkwood, Henley Road, Ipswich, on October 25, 2001.

Dwyer denies murdering the teenager.

Mr Williams, who was giving evidence for the prosecution, told the jury that he first met Mr Brown in September 2001.

At the time Mr Williams was selling the Big Issue. Mr Brown, who was known to him as 'Andy', came up to him at his pitch after moving to Ipswich from London.

The court was told that 'Andy' also sold crack cocaine and became Mr Williams' main supplier of heroin.

Mr Williams said he knew a fellow Big Issue seller called 'Stuart', who subsequently became known to him as Paul Dwyer. He said the pair bought drugs together but did not know each other socially.

The jury was told that on the day of Mr Brown's death, after going to Mr Williams' house to cut up some crack cocaine, the teenager gave him a lift into Ipswich during the late morning.

Early the same afternoon Mr Williams said someone came up to him asking if he knew anyone who could supply them drugs, so he gave them the name of 'Andy'.

Mr Williams said he tried to call 'Andy' a couple of times during the afternoon but on each occasion his mobile phone was switched off.

Mr Williams said 'Andy' was a trusting person who had originally sold him drugs cheaper than they would normally have been and let him owe money.

The court also heard that 'Andy' had built up a sizeable drug-dealing business in Ipswich, which he ran through his mobile phone connected to an earpiece. Mr Williams said: “He was successful and always generous.”

Yesterday, the jury was told Dwyer, also a heroin addict, was seen to snarl at Brown before lunging at him and stabbing him to death at the flat in Parkwood.

Brown collapsed after being stabbed 18 times.

One of the wounds severed Mr Brown's jugular vein and was likely to have been the main cause of death.

Part of the attack was witnessed by Dwyer's then girlfriend who described his face as being contorted by a snarl as he lunged at Mr Brown.

Giving evidence, the woman said: “I was freaked out. There was blood absolutely everywhere, it seemed.”

The trial continues.