A DRUG dealer says he was punched in the face by the same rival whose home was later attacked using a crossbow.

Kane Ingram told a jury he was punched in the face by Luke Bridger in Cripplegate Park, Worcester, after they argued over Facebook Messenger. The men had exchanged insults and discussed having a fight.

The 21-year-old of Saddlers Walk, Worcester appeared as a witness at Worcester Crown Court on Thursday. Ingram admits conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine in Worcester but denies a conspiracy to cause Luke Bridger actual bodily harm. His co-defendant, 35-year-old Asgar Khalfe also admits the drugs conspiracies but denies conspiracy to assault Mr Bridger, an attack which the prosecution say he ordered. Scott Fewtrell and Tommy Lee Jauncey have already admitted the conspiracy to attack Mr Bridger.

Fewtrell, 28, fired a crossbow at Mr Bridger’s home in Carlisle Road, Ronkswood, Worcester on August 30, 2017. During the same incident Jauncey, 23, shot a blank firing pistol at Mr Bridger’s home. The jury of 12 women has already been shown footage of a child apparently cowering in fear as Jauncey runs along the street, shooting the pistol.

Ingram said he was in contact with Mr Bridger because he wanted to keep him as ‘an alternative in case anything went wrong’ by which he meant Khalfe getting arrested or robbed. Ingram called this ‘a back-up plan’ and said he had wanted to ‘keep him (Mr Bridger) sweet’. He also said he felt loyal to Khalfe.

We have previously reported how Mr Bridger spoke of taking over Khalfe’s dealing business in Worcester, telling Ingram they needed to ‘rob Ozzie’ (Khalfe). Ingram said he went on his own to Cripplegate Park to meet Mr Bridger who was also on his own. Ingram said Mr Bridger said: “I just want to hit you.”

Ingram could not tell whether Mr Bridger was joking or serious but added: “He hit me. He punched me. He punched me in my face.”

Ingram said he tried to fight back and that Mr Bridger ‘tried to slap me like I’m a girl’. The defendant said he did not punch Mr Bridger back. He told the jury that Mr Bridger said: “This is stupid we’re mates.”

Ingram said he told him he did not want ‘drama’ and wanted to ‘make money’ but was still angry with Mr Bridger for punching him in the face. The trial continues.