THE girlfriend of one of the men accused of murdering a man in a Southampton flat exchanged texts relating to drug dealing, it was claimed.

Prosecutors argued that Rachel Kenehan, sent a series of text messages to Pierre Lewis referring to the dealing of cocaine.

Lewis is one of three men charged with killing Jahmel Jones at a flat in St Mary Street on April 20 last year.

Ian Lawrie QC, prosecuting, told Winchester Crown Court that Kenehan, 35, sent the messages days after Lewis visited Southampton in late December 2012.

Mr Lawrie said that Kenehan also went online to find out more about how to “cook” powered drugs and cannabis production on December 29, but she claimed that this was for research purposes ahead of a university lecture.

Mr Lawrie told the court that one message sent by Kenehan read: “Get me on this one when you get in. We need to think about this one. No more sweet talk, strictly business.”

Mr Lawrie said that a text from Lewis to Kenehan made reference to him asking her if she knew anyone who took cocaine, before another text from Lewis said he could get his “hands on anything”.

But Kenehan told jurors that she didn’t take Lewis’ texts seriously. She added that the text she sent Lewis mentioning “strictly business” was in reference to how they would tell probation officer Terry Wilson of their relationship.

Kenehan is charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, assisting an offender and perverting the course of justice.

Lewis, of Barnes, faces a charge of murdering Mr Jones, along with Jemmikai Orlebar-Forbes, 20, of Cloudsdale Road, London, and Isaac Boateng, 22, of Hounslow.

Proceeding.