A MAN accused of murdering a Newport father told jurors he did not expect any violence when he went to confront drug dealers who conned him.

Giving evidence at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday, Shahid Rafiq said he felt responsible when he found out he had bought fake heroin, but wanted to try to get the money back.

Rafiq, 37, of Bryn Yr Ysgol, Karl Drummond, 37, of Attlee Court and George Glover, 40, of Graham Court, all Caerphilly, are on trial accused of murdering and conspiring to rob Tony Singh on November 11, 2010.

Rafiq told the court he usually sourced drugs from an associate of Mr Singh, but could not contact him that day. Instead he rang another dealer he knew and arranged to meet a ‘runner’ at the back of Maesglas shops in Newport.

He said he did not check the drug because he “didn’t think for a second” the dealers would trick him.

Jurors heard when he, Glover and Timothy Burrows returned to Caerphilly it was obvious what he had was not heroin.

Rafiq said he felt a “sense of responsibility” for them “ending up with a dud product”.

He told jurors there was no need for weapons when they went to get the money back, as he was not expecting violence.

When their attempt to get the money back failed, Rafiq said Drummond made calls to Mr Singh’s associate using Rafiq’s phone. He said he did not see Drummond with any weapons when they arrived at Caerau Road for the meeting.

Rafiq said he hung back as he thought Drummond was going to con or “skank” Mr Singh and he did not want to be involved.

Mr Singh was found dead in his Bryngwyn Road flat on November 15, 2010. He died from head injuries.

Proceeding.