AN expert text message decoder today gave evidence in the trial of an Ipswich man accused of drug dealing.Peter Bailey, 54, of Norfolk Road, faces three charges of intending to supply amphetamine after police officers discovered five mobile phones, 40 self seal plastic bags, two sets of scales and 12 grams of amphetamines when they raided his home last year (April 17).

AN expert text message decoder today gave evidence in the trial of an Ipswich man accused of drug dealing.

Peter Bailey, 54, of Norfolk Road, faces three charges of intending to supply amphetamine after police officers discovered five mobile phones, 40 self seal plastic bags, two sets of scales and 12 grams of amphetamines when they raided his home last year (April 17).

Messages sent to phones allegedly referred to drug deals, a prosecution lawyer told Ipswich Crown Court.

Forensic scientist Edward Fisher, a communications expert of 22 years, told a jury how it was possible to retrieve text messages from mobile phones.

The court heard how one text message from "Gary C" was made at 8.36am, six days before Bailey's arrest. It read "Have you got anything for me this morning?"

Three days later the same caller wrote: "In the morning I cash child benefit. Can you tick me a gram, and I will give you £20 for what I also had yesterday? Can you text me back and let me know?"

Yesterday prosecutor Martyn Levett told a jury: "It's difficult to think what else, apart from gold and perhaps sugar, comes in grams. It is difficult to imagine if Gary planned to call round to borrow some sugar. The inference is overwhelming."

On April 13, 2002 Peter from Diss sent a text reading "Could u get me half of nasty 4 me today, please?"

Mr Fisher told the court text messages can be saved on either the handset or the sim card, depending on the model of the phone.

The jury also heard how unemployed Bailey, who received £104 a fortnight in income support, had £370 in cash on him during the raid on April 17 last year.

In the second incident on June 17 last year, Bailey's Vauxhall Cavalier was stopped in Bramford Road by police who later discovered four self sealing bags containing amphetamine and two sets of scales. On this occasion Bailey had £350 in cash on him.

Six months later when police searched Bailey's car parked outside his then address in Speedwell Road, they allegedly found a hold-all containing 200 grams of amphetamines along with Bailey's birth certificate and his driving licence.

When interviewed by police, Mr Levett told the court, Bailey claimed a man called Mr B had left the hold-all in his car.

He also told police the self-sealing plastic bags were to keep small computer screws in.

Bailey, who admits three counts of possessing a grade B drug, denies three charges of intent to supply.

The case continues.