‘Mr Asia’ trial Chauffeur to testify

Press, 13 May 1981, Page 5

‘Mr Asia’ trial Chauffeur to testify

NZPA Lancaster In spite of the protest of the New Zealander, Alexander Sinclair, the man who was his chauffeur in London is to begin evidence today. Sinclair, a leading defendant in the “Mr Asia” drugs conspiracy and murder trial, claimed on Friday that today’s sitting meant he would not have “a fair crack of the whip.” He rose from the dock to object because his leading counsel would be absent. The chauffeur, East Ender Sylvester Pidgeon, aged 41, is only likely to deliver his evidence-in-chief today. Cross-examinations will probably begin tomorrow. By then Sinclair’s counsel, Mr Robiri Simpson, QC., will have returned from England’s Court of Appeal where he must attend another case. However in a short address to the trial judge, Mrs Justice Heilbron, Sinclair said he thought Mr Simpson would come back to his junior counsel’s notes, but not have the feel of the case. “I’ve seen how he watches how they act in the box and watches demeanor and then judges when he will ask questions,” Sinclair said. “I don’t think I’m getting a

fair crack of the whip. It’s my life that’s on the line.” Her Honour said she was quite certain that Sinclair’s interests 'would be very well looked after by his junior counsel, Mr Dermott Wright. When Sinclair spoke after her ruling in favour of a sitting today, her Honour allowed him to finish and then said to his counsel: “Mr Simpson, I’m sorry, I can’t.” The court lost yesterday’s sitting because of the threat that aq industrial dispute could disrupt proceedings. Prison officers would be unlikely to take remanded defendants into court, and her Honour decided to start the hearing a day later after consultation with barristers. Pidgeon, a burly man, who allegedly told police that he saw the good life for a change when he was with Sinclair, is to be the only London associate of the alleged ring leader to give evidence on oath. Four others arrested in the capital read statements from the dock and two have pleaded guilty to all charges. Pidgeon’s cross-examina-tion by the prosecution, which will be taken by the leading counsel, Mr Michael Maguire, Q.C., is expected to be vigorous.