A GP, Thomas Kwan, confessed to attempting to murder his mother’s partner by pretending to be a community nurse and injecting him with a fake COVID booster shot. Kwan, who initially denied the charge, changed his plea after the prosecution presented their case against him in Newcastle Crown Court.
Initially, police suspected Kwan of using ricin, a deadly poison, in the attempted murder, but an expert suggested that a pesticide was more likely used in the crime. This incident led to a significant emergency response when authorities found dangerous chemicals in the garage of Kwan’s home in Ingleby Barwick.
Kwan, a married father, had admitted to administering a harmful substance, claiming he intended to cause only mild pain. Prosecutors revealed that the motive behind the murder attempt was Kwan’s desire to inherit his mother’s estate, as her partner, Patrick O’Hara, was named in her will. O’Hara, who suffered from a rare flesh-eating disease as a result of the fake jab, had to undergo a significant medical procedure to contain the spreading disease.
The court heard that Kwan impersonated a nurse named Raj Patel to trick O’Hara into accepting the booster shot, using forged NHS documentation and false identities to carry out the plan. Despite having received a COVID jab recently, O’Hara fell for the ruse and allowed Kwan to administer the injection, resulting in severe health consequences.
Kwan’s extensive knowledge of poisons and his meticulous planning were key factors in the attempted murder. He disguised himself during the home visit, used false number plates on his vehicle, and booked a hotel room under a fake name to avoid detection. The victim, O’Hara, suffered immensely after the injection, developing a serious infection that required intensive medical care.
Authorities discovered that Kwan possessed dangerous substances like arsenic and mercury, along with castor beans used to create ricin. While the exact poison injected into O’Hara remains unknown, experts believe it might have been iodomethane from pesticides. Kwan’s sentencing is pending, with expectations of a significant prison term due to the severity of his crime.
Overall, Kwan’s attempt on O’Hara’s life had devastating consequences, and his lack of cooperation during the investigation worsened the victim’s condition. The case highlights the dangers of individuals abusing their positions of trust for personal gain, leading to tragic outcomes for innocent victims.