A TAXI driver denies being the ‘chauffeur’ in a conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine in Worcester.

Shakur Hussain denies conspiring to supply the class A drugs, possession of criminal property and production of crack cocaine.

His trial at Worcester Crown Court began on Monday. Three others admit the conspiracy and will be sentenced at the end of the trial.

Hussain, 37, of Compton Road, Worcester was arrested in a Mercedes taxi in Loves Grove, Worcester on October 16 last year with passenger Asgar Khalfe who gave a false name to police.

In total around £1,980 of cash was found in Hussain's taxi, behind the front passenger seat. Khalfe has since admitted his role in the conspiracy. So too have Terry Melsom and Christopher Franklin.

A police officer – DC Simon Lloyd – suffered a broken leg when he was struck by a car driven by Franklin on October 16, the day he and his passenger, Melsom, were arrested.

Steven Bailey, prosecuting, described how Hussain paid £150 into the account of Peter Mills, father of convicted drug dealer Joshua Mills. Joshua Mills was arrested on June 28 last year, pleading guilty to possession of heroin and crack with intent to supply and was sentenced on September 6 last year. Peter Mills said he did not know Hussain and had never met him but said son Joshua could have used his bank account.

Mr Bailey said Khalfe would change the SIM card in the handset of his mobile phone every time one his street dealers was arrested.

A Toyota Yaris driven by Richard Arnold and with Ian Coopey in the passenger seat was stopped on July 17 at the junction of Tallow Hill and Pheasant Street, Worcester. Both men admitted possession of crack cocaine and heroin with intent to supply on August 21 last year. Arnold and Coopey both had phones which showed contact with Khalfe who had a ‘dealing line’ which he used to advertise the drugs he had on offer, what Mr Bailey called ‘the shop window’.

The phone numbers of known drug users were saved in the phone’s contacts. Around 20 different phone numbers used the same mobile phone handset but SIM cards were regularly swapped.

Mr Bailey also described how evidence which showed regular mobile contact between Khalfe and Hussain. Hussain also rented three flats in City Nite Apartments in Birmingham which Khalfe had a key to and where he has admitted producing crack cocaine.

The trial continues.