A MAN accused of the murder of a Newport father told police he was calm when going to get his money back from a drug dealer who had ripped him off, a jury heard yesterday.

A police interview with Shahid Rafiq, 37, of Bryn-yr- Ysgol, Caerphilly,was read out at Cardiff Crown Court where Rafiq is standing trial alongside Karl Drummond, 37, of Attlee Court, and George Glover, 40, of Graham Court, both also of Caerphilly.

All three deny murdering and conspiring to rob Tony Singh, 24, on November 11, 2010. Mr Singh’s body was found at his Bryngwyn Road home on November 15.

The jury heard Rafiq was originally arrested and questioned on November 15 on suspicion of possession of a firearm and blackmail. This arrestwasmadebefore the discovery of Mr Singh’s body and was in relation to an incident in which Rafiq told police that onNovember 11, amannamed Christopher Ross had sold him beef powder instead of heroin.

In the interview Rafiq said he had gone round to Ross’ house to get his money back where he saw Ross’ mother Theresa who he had known for years.

He told police she was worried therewould be trouble but assured her there wouldn’t be.

It is alleged that later on that evening the three defendants attacked Mr Singh.

Proceeding.