Mc Nicolls orders Piggott to court

PIARCO AIRPORT CORRUPTION INQUIRY — DAY 28

CHIEF MAGISTRATE Sherman Mc Nicolls has ordered Senior Supt Maurice Piggott to attend court today, although the senior officer was given five days sick leave by the police doctor. The decision to order Piggott to court to give evidence in the Piarco Airport corruption inquiry followed the testimony of police doctor Raymond Tom Pack yesterday. According to Dr Tom Pack, “if I knew Mr Piggott wanted sick leave to get away from testifying in court, I wouldn’t have given it to him. I don’t like to give sick leave to police officers  to avoid going to court.”

Dr Tom Pack said when Piggott visited him on Monday morning, the senior officer never told him he was going to give evidence in court. Piggott’s absence caused a furore in court on Monday when lead prosecutor Gilbert Peterson SC informed the court that Piggott had gotten five days’ sick leave with a medical certificate which stated ‘hypertension, out of control.” Chief Magistrate Mc Nicolls ordered Dr Tom Pack to attend court yesterday. Dr Tom Pack is employed with the Ministry of Health, but attached to the Police Service at the St James Barracks. He told the court that he examined Piggott between 8.45 am and 9.15 am on Monday. Questioned by defence attorney Frank Solomon SC, Dr Tom Pack said he keeps the files of all his patients. Yesterday, he walked with Piggott’s file.

He said he treated Piggott for hypertension before Monday. He has been treating Piggott since 1992 when he (Tom Pack) went to the St James Barracks. His first inspection of the police officer revealed that his pressure was 160/130. He prescribed two forms of medication for Piggott which assisted in bringing the pressure down.

Dr Tom Pack said he has treated Piggott for high blood pressure over the last 12 years.
SOLOMON: Can you tell us what has been the reason for this pressure?
DR. TOM PACK: I think it is stress-related, because of his job.
SOLOMON: Did you recommend to him a change of his lifestyle to ease his hypertension?
DR. TOM PACK: Yes.
SOLOMON: Why did you do so?
DR TOM PACK: He is a senior superintendent. That is a high rank carrying many responsibilities. He is also attached to the crime department.
SOLOMON: Have you ever examined his home life?
DR TOM PACK: No.
SOLOMON: Is it true that someone who wins the lottery can get stress?
DR TOM PACK: Yes.
SOLOMON: Can an application for a favourable response from a lady produce stress?
DR. TOM PACK: Yes.
SOLOMON: What about a new job?
DR TOM PACK: Yes.
Another witness to give evidence yesterday was attorney Robert Boodoosingh, who was corporate secretary at the Airports Authority between 1995 and 1997. He will continue his evidence today.