Man denies supplying drug

From the archive, first published Tuesday 12th Feb 2008.

A man has told a jury he did not hand a bottle of methadone to an acquaintance who collapsed and died hours later.

Craig Sweeting, 32, denies supplying the Class A drug to Mark Bennett who had been drinking alcohol.

Mr Bennett, 26, suffered a fatal collapse on October 26, 2006 at a house in Rastrick, Brighouse.

Sweeting, who was living at Smith House Drive, Brighouse, told Bradford Crown Court today he was shocked when he learned of Mr Bennett's death.

"I couldn't believe what had happened," he told the jury.

Sweeting said Mark Bennett, of Sowerby Bridge, called at his home saying he wanted heroin.

He said he was surprised by the request as he thought it out of character for Mr Bennett.

He said he did not give him any of his prescription methadone.

Sweeting said it was stored in his kitchen cupboard but a small dose dispensed in a pill bottle was usually kept upstairs.

He said Mark's friend went to use the bathroom but he did not see either man with any of his methadone.

Sweeting is accused of handing Mr Bennett the pill bottle to drink from before he left the house.

The trial continues.