Participants in the Supreme Court robbery trial of Roger Eugene Lightbourne got a firsthand account of Bermuda's shadowy drug trade yesterday as the accused took the stand in his own defence.

Lightbourne, who is charged with stealing the cash register and approximately $700 from Roosters restaurant last January 28, told the court that the only crime he was guilty of on the morning in question was dealing drugs.

The accused, who was the only witness to testify yesterday, said that he had gone to the Court Street area with "about 50 rocks'' (crack cocaine) and was hiding behind the Emmanuel Baptist Church on Dundonald Street to avoid detection when Police found him.

He claimed that he had stashed the cocaine, which was never found, under some nearby stairs.

Yesterday, Crown Council Mr. Peter DeJulio, who contends that Lightbourne and an accomplice named Kimani Fubler robbed the restaurant and then fled by bike to Dundonald Street, pressed the accused for details on his self-proclaimed drug dealings.

"Was the $600 you made (on the morning in question) high, low or average?'' Mr. DeJulio asked, referring to the amount of money that Police say they found on Lightbourne at the time of his arrest.

"I hadn't finished (dealing),'' Lightbourne replied.

"Is that because you were arrested?'' the lawyer asked.

"Yes,'' Lightbourne answered.

Mr. DeJulio continued: "What would be an average take?'' "I would say between $900 and $1,200 for three days of work.'' "And you brought approximately how many pieces of rock that night?'' "I normally bring about 30 rocks. One is worth $50.'' The prosecutor aroused some laughter in the courtroom when he asked the defendant if his clientele consisted of the same weekly buyers.

"Do you have a regular base of clients?'' Mr. DeJulio said.

"You see all kinds of faces down there,'' Lightbourne replied. "You see everyone from prostitutes to construction workers.'' Joked Mr. DeJulio: "Do you see any defence attorneys?'' Defence attorney Mr. Archie Warner wasn't so amused, however, when Mr. DeJulio asked his client why he hadn't told the Police about his alleged drug dealing when it would have cleared him of the robbery on Court Street.

"M'lord,'' Mr. Warner said, "the prosecution has no right to comment to the jury on the the accused's failure to give evidence to the Police. My learned friend is callously -- not cleverly -- evading that rule. It is highly improper.'' Switching gears, Mr. DeJulio persisted with the witness: "What if I suggest to you that you and Fubler robbed the store, took off on a bike, dropped the cash register, started to run, got caught and made up this whole story about dealing drugs?'' "I would disagree with you,'' said Lightbourne. "And I don't think you even believe it. All the evidence shows you I couldn't have done this.'' Earlier he said to the prosecutor: "You have an evil picture of drug dealers.

Just because I sell drugs doesn't mean I don't have principles.'' The trial continues before Puisne Judge the Hon. Mr. Justice Meerabux today.