Neurosurgeon Dr Suresh Surendranath Nair is charged with supplying drugs to sex worker Suellen Domingues Zaupa who was found dead in his apartment in 2009

16:14 Neurosurgeon Dr Suresh Surendranath Nair is charged with supplying drugs to sex worker Suellen Domingues Zaupa who was found dead in his apartment in 2009 0 Comments

LEADING Australian neurosurgeon has praised his former colleague, Suresh Nair, who had two escorts die in his apartment from cocaine overdoses, admitting he was "a bit odd" but a "peaceful sort of soul".

Dr Charles Teo, from the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney, today gave evidence at a sentencing hearing for Nair, 42, who last year pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of escort Suellen Domingues-Zaupa, who died at his Elizabeth Bay home in September 2009.

Nair also pleaded guilty to two drug supply charges, one of which was related to another escort, Victoria McIntyre, who died after taking cocaine at his apartment in February 2009.

Dr Teo and Nair worked together in 2000 forming a "very close bond". Dr Teo has visited Nair twice since he was remanded in jail.

"When you first meet him, he's a bit odd, he has an odd personality," Dr Teo told Downing Centre District Court today.




"(He's) a little bit awkward socially . . . difficult to communicate with . . he doesn't wear his his heart on his sleeve . . . so it's hard to break the barrier and get to know him.

"But get through the barrier and I have nothing but good things to say about him . . . a fine person, a good character, a big heart, a peaceful sort of soul."

Dr Teo told sentencing judge Robert Toner that Nair was "very remorseful" about the two women's deaths and had a "great insight" into his substance abuse problem.

He said he first became aware of Nair's cocaine problem in January last year, but that he didn't believe his colleague would attend work at Nepean Hospital while under the influence of drugs because he would never "compromise his patients' care".

If he learned otherwise, Dr Teo said, "I wouldn't have the same opinion of him."

"I hold my colleagues to a very high standard. I would never support that."

Dr Teo said neurosurgery was a demanding job that required doctors to be "physically and emotionally intact" and because of this "highly stressed vocation" about 10 per cent were treated for depression, while others sought relief in illicit substances.

Dr Teo said that because of his "public profile" his friends and family warned him not to speak out on Nair's behalf in such a "controversial case".

The hearing continues.