A Melton man who had nearly one kilogram of cannabis at his home when he was arrested by police has denied being involved in the large-scale supply of the drug.

Giving evidence during his trial at Ipswich Crown Court on Monday, Marley Bagley claimed the drugs were for his own use and that a large quantity of grip seal bags also found at his house were used by him to divide the cannabis into small amounts so that he could regulate his daily use.

Cross-examined by Fiona Robertson, prosecuting, Bagley claimed that £1,200 cash found at his house was money he used as a float when he played poker.

He accepted that he had a Mercedes car, an expensive watch and a designer bag but denied they had been purchased using money made from supplying drugs.

Bagley denied a suggestion from Miss Robertson that the cannabis, cash, grip seal bags and scales found at his house had “all the hallmarks and paraphernalia” of someone dealing large quantities of cannabis.

He told the court that he had been brought up in Ipswich and attended school in the town before studying coaching and exercise at Suffolk New College.

He told the court he was a keen poker player and had made £1,500 to £2,000 a week from playing private games and was also a local Sunday league football manager and coach.

Bagley admitted knowing his two co-defendants – Roan Omoworare and Dale Ramsey – but denied being involved in the supply of cannabis and cocaine.

He said that following his arrest he was advised by his solicitor to answer no comment to questions put to him, including a request to supply the PIN for his mobile phone.

Omoworare, 27, of Bloomfield Street, Ipswich, Ramsey, 29, of Felixstowe Road, Ipswich, and Bagley, 24, of Beadon Way, Melton, have denied conspiracy to supply cocaine from July 10, 2019, to September 16 2020 and conspiracy to supply cannabis between the same dates.

The trial continues.