told/had told

[Tan Elaine]

On Tuesday, Anwar’s lawyer Karpal Singh had told the court that Justice Mohd Zabidin should be disqualified for dismissing his application for access to the Hospital Kuala Lumpur doctors’ medical notes.

Is 'had told' correctly used? Shouldn't it be 'told' since 'On Tuesday' (element of time) precedes the verb?

Thanks in advance.

 

[corum]

Is 'had told' correctly used?

If there is no surrounding context, which I doubt, only the simple past is an option. Otherwise the pp is okay, provided there is another action or happening expressed outside the sentence that the "telling" precedes.

Shouldn't it be 'told' since 'On Tuesday' (element of time) precedes the verb?

No, the "element of time" is attached to "had told" and marks the time of "telling".