A SURVEILLANCE officer admits he never saw a suspected cocaine dealer hand over a package in a gym car park.

Robert Degaris, 48, Mohammed Nasar, 50, son Aaqib Nasar, 22, and Steven Binning, 35, all deny being part of a conspiracy to supply the class A drug. Their trial continued at Worcester Crown Court today (Thursday) when DC Andrew Mitchell gave evidence behind a screen.

He told the jury he was dropped off in Lowesmoor Terrace, Worcester, before heading for the canal towpath during a surveillance operation on May 13, 2015. He said he saw Degaris drive his Peugeot into the car park of City Gym in Westbury Street at around 6.55pm and observed a silver Ford Focus arrive at 7.04pm. The Focus was driven by Marcus Henney. Chris Cornes was the front seat passenger.

He said Degaris left his Peugeot and walked to the Focus, speaking to Cornes through the open front passenger window before he returned to his Peugeot.

Cornes and Henney were arrested at 7.11pm that evening at the junction of Deansway and Copenhagen Street.

As previously reported police seized cocaine worth between £15,000 and £22,500 from the car.

Cornes and Henney have already been convicted of possession of cocaine with intent to supply.

The officer was cross-examined by Graham Henson, for Degaris, who said his statement was made three and a half months after he made the observations. He also said the statement referred to the Ford Focus being black when it was silver.

DC Mitchell admitted he had made a mistake and had been thinking of a black Mercedes he had observed previously.

DC Mitchell said he could not see Degaris’s hands and that his view was partially obscured by parked cars in the 'busy' car park.

Mr Henson said: “Are you telling this jury that at no stage did you have the opportunity to see whether he was carrying anything?”

DC Mitchell said: “I couldn’t. I wish I could have done.”

Mr Henson said DC Mitchell had described Degaris as wearing black jogging bottoms yet also claimed not to have been able to see the lower half of Degaris's body.

He said: "At no stage did he hand over any drugs to anybody in a car on that car park on May 13. You didn't see that happen, did you?"

"No" said DC Mitchell.

Degaris, 48, of Popert Drive, Worcester denies one count of conspiracy to supply cocaine.

The trial continues.