Thomas Woods, who allegedly aided people to be boarded out of work, yesterday refused to testify in the criminal proceedings against 71-year-old Saverin Sinagra.

Evidence against the elderly woman from Zejtun, is currently being compiled, for allegedly receiving bribes which she in turn allegedly passed on to Mr Woods, who, at the time, was assistant private secretary to Health Minister Louis Deguara.

Ms Sinagra had told the police that she used to send people to Mr Woods who would see that they were boarded out of work.

On taking the witness stand, Mr Woods heard presiding magistrate Edwina Grima tell him that he could refuse to testify in order not to incriminate himself. The man took the magistrate’s advice.

Nationalist MP and psychiatrist Dr. Joe Cassar, testified earlier that he had filed a report with the police after a patient had told him that he was asked to pay someone to be boarded out of work.

The patient had told him that a certain “Solina” had asked him for €1,164.69 (Lm500). He was eventually boarded out.

Doctor Karl Causon testified that he had known Ms Sinagra of old, and she had never recommended that anyone go before a medical board, although she had asked him to visit some relatives of hers.

Police Inspector Paul Gafà prosecuted, while Dr Raphael Fenech Adami represented the accused.