Indian-origin doctor Jayant Patel, accused of causing grievous bodily harm to an Australian patient, today defended his decision to operate him, saying it was necessary to prevent further cancers.
Patel, 63, appeared as a witness in the District Court in Brisbane.He has pleaded not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to Ian Vowles. According to Australian Associated Press, Patel informed the court that the surgery was necessary to prevent further cancers. The Crown prosecutor had alleged that Patel unnecessarily removed Vowles's colon and rectum.
During the trial, Patel said that he was contracted to the Bundaberg Base Hospital as a senior medical officer in 2003 and that when he arrived from the United States to take up the post he found he had been appointed director of surgery.
During questioning from his own counsel, Patel said he remembered Vowles well because of the unusual nature of his colonic cancers.The court has previously heard that Patel told Vowles he would be running around like a young horse once his bowel was whipped out.
Patel denied using those terms, the report said.