Edward King and defence lawyer Larry Mussenden yesterday.

The two tangled at the beginning of the drug trial of Kenneth "Eggs'' Smith, who is charged with four counts of intent to supply heroin and cannabis.

Mr. Mussenden asked for an adjournment, explaining the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had not completed a set of papers for the defence, so he had not seen all the relevant case documents.

"It's not a slight on my learned friends (Crown counsels); I know how hard it can be,'' Mr. Mussenden said.

Mr. King resonded: "There will be no adjournment for the reasons you stated.'' Mr. Mussenden tried to push his point that his client faces a harsh punishment for the drug-related charges, allegedly committed in an increased penalty zone, near a nursery school.

Mr. Mussenden said Smith's defence would be crippled if the case went ahead without the defence lawyer seeing the documents from the DPP.

Mr. King accused Mr. Mussenden of purposely entering the court room to "upset'' him: "You come into my court to upset me this morning -- I don't have to record a word!'' Mr. Mussenden replied: "So we haven't started yet?'' The Magistrate got up and left the court room, calling for a break.

When he came back, about 10 minutes later, the court dealt with another matter before continuing with the "Eggs'' Smith trial.

Smith is charged with four counts, possession of heroin with intent to supply, knowingly handling heroin with intent to supply, possession of cannabis, possession of empty plastic bags, cigarette papers and bag ties equipment fit and intended for use in connection with the preparation of a controlled drug.

Police Detective Constable Calon Hollis testified that on October 10 of last year, he and fellow plain-clothes Narcotics officers -- acting on information received -- arrested Smith on the corner of Dundonald and Princess Streets, near a nursery school, with a green lighter full of heroin and cannabis.

Mr. Mussenden refused to cross-examine Crown counsel Graveney Bannister's witness.

The case is set to continue today at 9.30 a.m.