Gary Hardy took to the witness stand on Monday and told Nottingham Crown Court he has never sold drugs or stored any illegal substances at his mother's home, where drugs were found following a police raid in January 2007.

He also denied prosecution claims that he had been spotted controlling a drugs deal in Nuncargate on 29th April 2003 during a major police surveillance operation.

Hardy, who appeared in a smart black suit and white shirt, is accused of being the third general of a crime organisation which distributed millions of pounds worth of heroin, cocaine and amphetamines across Ashfield over a number of years.

He told the jury: "The drugs recovered at my mum's home was nothing to do with me. I have never stored drugs anywhere. I did try some drugs years ago including cannabis but I have never been a dealer.

"The man spotted close to this drugs deal in 2003 was not me. I was not directing the movements of dealers or controlling any deal. It had nothing to do with me."

Hardy also denied prosecution allegations that he was owed £100,000 from his brother and fellow defendant Paul Hardy for crack cocaine.

Said Hardy: "Paul had a problem with crack cocaine. It was a serious addiction and he was taking drugs on an almost daily basis. I never sold him these drugs and he never owed me £100,000.

"I told him he had wasted £100,000 that he had earned from wages, free rent on his house and an inheritance, but he never owed a debt to me."

THE CHARGES
Gary Hardy, of The Copse, Mansfield, and his brother Paul Hardy (47), of Kirkby, deny one charge of conspiracy to supply heroin, one charge of conspiracy to supply cocaine, one charge of conspiracy to supply amphetamines and four counts of conspiracy to supply cannabis between 1st January 2000 and 5th January 2007.

The brothers' mum June Muers (66), formerly of Pearl Avenue, Kirkby, also denies one charge of conspiracy to supply amphetamines and two charges of conspiracy to supply cannabis between 1st January 2003 and 5th January 2007.

Both Gary Hardy and Clipstone man Carl Busby (45), of Forest Road, also deny money laundering charges between 1st April 2003 and 4th January 2007.

Gary Hardy also denies a separate charge of having £14,000-worth of cash gained through criminal activities in his possession on 23rd May 2003.

Gary and Paul Hardy, of Willow Avenue, Kirkby, along with Muers, all deny a further charge of possessing criminal property on 4th January 2007.

Kirkby woman Zoe Chapman, of Willow Avenue –– Paul Hardy's partner –– also faces three charges of conspiracy to supply amphetamines and cannabis between 1st January 2000 and 5th January 2007.

Proceeding