A MAN seemed in a “perfectly capable” condition to be interviewed by police over the alleged murder of a Newport drug dealer, despite withdrawing from heroin at the time, a jury heard.

Ralph Evans acted as a solicitor for Timothy Burrows, 35, of Caerphilly, when he was arrested on November 22, 2010, on suspicion of themurder of Newport father Tony Singh, 24.

Mr Burrows, who Cardiff Crown Court heard had been taking heroin daily for six months up until his arrest, was released on November 24, 2010, without charge.

Carl Drummond, 37, of Atlee Court, George Glover, 40, of Graham Court and Shahid Rafiq, 37, of Bryn-Yr-Ysgol, all of Caerphilly, are currently standing trial jointly charged with murdering and conspiring to rob Mr Singh, on November 11, 2010. All three deny the charges.

Mr Burrows previously admitted in court that he lied to police about seeing the defendants take weapons when they went to track down another drug dealer who had ripped them off.

But giving evidence, Mr Evans said although Mr Burrows told him he was missing heroin when in custody, he seemed straightforward and able to answer questions.

He said: “I had no concern whatsoever.”

Proceeding.