A CRACK dealer who accused police of conducting an "oppressive" search failed to have his conviction overturned.

Telbert Fitzgerald King, aged 39, of Goodhart Way, West Wickham, was jailed for six years at Inner London Crown Court on March 9, last year, after he was convicted of possessing crack cocaine with intent to supply.

His lawyers argued his conviction should be overturned because of police breaches of procedure, but Appeal Court judges ruled on March 26 his conviction was "entirely safe".

The Criminal Court of Appeal heard a key was discovered underneath King's mattress after police raided his home on August 4, 2000.

The key opened a Ford Fiesta car parked 70 metres from the house. Crack cocaine was found inside a tin in the boot.

Representing King, Mark Tomassi claimed his client had been treated "aggressively" by officers searching his home and had been handcuffed when there was no need. He said the search methods had been "unduly secretive" and officers' conduct had "engendered an atmosphere of oppression".

Mr Tomassi also claimed there were flaws in the trial judge's summing up to the jury on the replies King gave to police questions before the car key was found.

But Mr Justice Forbes, sitting with Lord Justice Dyson and Judge Richard Dyson, dismissed the appeal.

He told the court: "We are satisfied there is no lack of safety in this conviction."