A MAN accused of selling Ecstasy to a teenager who later died has denied ever dealing or taking the drug.

Christopher Hartshorn, 20, is said to have dealt the class A drug to 17-year-old Martin Dakers who was celebrating having a new job, on March 14 last year.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that Mr Dakers was arrested that night for being drunk and disorderly and later died in police custody.

Witnesses told police it was Mr Hartshorn who had given Ecstasy to Mr Dakers and three others.

In court, Mr Hartshorn said: "I definitely have not supplied anyone with Ecstasy."

The 20-year-old told the jury he had bumped into Mr Dakers near the subway at Lambton Village Centre on the day of his death but he was already "loved up" and had shaken his hand.

He said: "He looked as though he had been on something and you could tell he was drunk at the time as well. It's not like Martin to come over and start shaking people's hands".

Prosecutors claim a list found at Mr Hartshorn's home when it was searched was a dealer's debtors list, but he claimed it was a record of money he loaned to friends.

He said: "I had lent money out. I had to keep a record of what money I had lent out."

Mr Hartshorn, of Pembridge, Oxclose Village, Washington, denies four charges of supplying Ecstasy. The trial continues.