Police officers trying to clamp down on the sale of drugs in an Ipswich park found wraps of heroin and crack cocaine on a man who ran off when they said they were going to search him, a court has heard.

The plain clothes officers saw Sheldon Beaumont-Williams sitting on a bench in Alexandra Park at around midday on February 16 this year and asked if he lived locally, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Beaumont-Williams told the officers he had no links with the town and that he had been staying in a hotel with a friend, who had since gone back to London, said Nicholas Bleaney, prosecuting.

When he was told he was going to be searched for drugs he ran off but was detained and handcuffed nearby by other officers.

When he was searched he was allegedly found in possession of five £10 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin and £107 cash.

He also had mobile phones which were found to contain messages which were consistent with drug dealing, alleged Mr Bleaney.

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

The trial continues.