A Romany gypsy – accused of running a drugs operation from a West Malling traveller’s camp – has told a jury that he was a second- hand car dealer.

Father of five Joseph King, 48, is alleged to have been the "Mr Big" in a major network dealing in cocaine, heroin and ecstasy.

But he told a jury at Canterbury Crown Court: "I deal in cars. I am a motor trader. It’s a profitable business. I also sell gypsy horses and rare breed chickens.

"I also deal in stolen tools, chain saws, hedgetrimmers and generators. I sell them on for profit."

King, from Lavender Road, has denied three charges of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. He has also pleaded not guilty to possessing amphetamines.

The prosecution has alleged that police – who raided the site in October last year discovered drugs and weapons hidden on the land.

They claimed the man who ran the site at Hoath Woods was King.

He told the court he moved to the site 25 years ago but only ran half the site – and his uncle, John Saunders had control on the other side.

But he denied ordering other gypsies what to do.

"I am a Romany gypsy. If I told another travelling man what to do I would have ended up in hospital. Romany gypsies do not boss each other around.

"I was aware that there were things going on the site, people stealing, people dealing in drugs."

He was asked if he had persuaded others to deal in drugs or to steal. He replied: "No".

King was then asked: "Did you do anything to stop them?" He answered: "No."

He told the jury he had been convicted in 1983 of fraudulently using an excise licence and other driving offences and in May 2002 was convicted for game poaching and fined £650.

King said his reading and writing "was not good."

"I can only read small words and I can only sign my own name."

Prosecutor Jonathan Higgs QC has claimed that undercover police officers infiltrated the drug-dealing network during the summer and autumn last year.

They raided the travellers site and arrested King, his brother Samuel, 47, from Elm Grove, Sittingbourne and Craig Provan, 41, of the Paddock, Highsted Valley Rodersham.

Samuel King has admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin but denied conspiring to supply ecstasy and possessing amphetamine. Both brothers have also denied possessing firearms with intent.

Provan has admitted encouraging the supply of cannabis but not guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and ecstasy.

A fourth man, Robert Newin, 24, from Swantree Avenue, Sittingbourne has admitted three charges of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and will be sentenced later.

Joseph King told the jury that he had fallen out with his brothers, sisters, uncle and nephew after the death of his mother.

King wept as he recalled her death from cancer which had torn apart the family.

"We have all fallen out. I don’t get on with any of them since mum’s death."

He claimed that family members suspected each other of concealing her terminal illness.

"We blame each other for it. I fell out with John (Saunders) because when she was dying it is a gypsy tradition to stay until she passes away.

"Close family members should stay but he just went home. She had only a few hours left but he just went home. She died two hours later.

"From that day onwards I have never spoken to him and I never will."

The trial continues.