New police chief in holiday gun hold-up

James Scott and his extended family were systematically robbed by the armed raider who broke into their villa on the holiday island of Tobago.

A week later Inspector Scott formally identified the body of the robber in an island mortuary. The Trinidadian had been shot by local police after opening fire on them in another raid.

This week, back at his desk at Bexhill police station and still scarcely able to believe the sequence of events, Inspector Scott told the Observer of the moment he found himself looking at the wrong end of a 9mm semi-automatic pistol at the villa at the island's Mount Irvine.

"In 10 years police service it has never happened to me. I was supposed to be on holiday!

"But the police training kicks in immediately.

"I told myself 'Don't argue with him. Do whatever he wants...'"

What was supposed to be 14 idyllic days in the Tobago sunshine for nine members of his family to celebrate his grandmother's 90th birthday turned into a nightmare.

James trod on a sea urchin on day one and got painful needles in his foot.

The raid was on day two...

The next week was a "busman's holiday" - spent giving statements and assisting as local police began their investigation.

James was to come face-to-face with his attacker again in the police mortuary exactly a week to the minute after he was confronted with the gunman.

James had been wearing only swimming trunks as he returned from the pool area to the villa when they had their first encounter.

"He was in the hallway. I don't know how he got in. There are security grilles everywhere.

"Luckily for me I was only wearing swimming trunks. He couldn't steal anything from me. But he made me lead him all through the villa.

"He went around the villa and took whatever he wanted. We haven't got anything back.

"That was Saturday, January 12. I spent the next week working with the police.

"Then were told that he had been shot dead by the police after firing 11 shots at them.

"I had to go to the mortuary and identify him.

"I gather he had done three or four other raids. He wasn't from Tobago but from Trinidad.

"He had only just been released from prison after serving nine years for armed robbery."

Asked if he thought the gunman would have used the weapon on him if he had resisted, Inspector Scott said: "In one of the other robberies someone got pistol-whipped...

"He was playing with the safety catch on the gun and saying to me 'This is what black men do to white men...'"

Now Inspector Scott is writing to the local Superintendent of police on Tobago to thank him for his force's professional conduct.

"The first week of the holiday was spent working with the police out there. I must say they were very good.

"They were very supportive '“ plus I got a good insight into how they work.

"It is becoming a crime problem there as tourism grows, though this guy didn't come from Tobago.

"The government is now saying to tourists 'We will pay for you to come back and give evidence in court.'

"Luckily, I won't have to go back for an inquest. He fired on the police first. He fired 11 shots at them! They shot back and killed him so under their law it is dealt with by a Superintendent and he is totally satisfied with his officers' conduct."

Now, Inspector Scott is getting to grips with his now post.

He has spent his Sussex Police career so far working in Bexhill and Hastings.

"I worked in Bexhill for three years as a Sergeant and then had a year back in Hastings and have now returned here as Inspector.

"I am very pleased. I like the town. I live in Bexhill and I like working in the town and I look forward to working with everyone here again."

But he adds: "When I got back here people kept saying 'Had a good holiday...?'"