A doctor in the United Kingdom has confessed to a shocking plan to kill his mother’s partner by pretending to be a nurse and poisoning him with a fake Covid booster shot.
Thomas Kwan, 53, wanted to inherit his mother’s home but was angry when she decided to leave it to her partner, Patrick O’Hara, instead.
Kwan disguised himself with a fake beard and hairpiece before injecting O’Hara at the house they shared in Newcastle. He had planned the attack after a falling out with his mother over her will.
During the trial, the court learned that Kwan had gathered ingredients for the poison ricin but may have used a pesticide instead. After the injection on January 22, 2024, O’Hara, 72, developed a rare and serious flesh-eating disease but narrowly survived.
Kwan initially denied attempting murder but changed his plea after hearing the prosecution’s case. He claimed he only meant to cause mild pain. In court, prosecutor Peter Makepeace KC said, “Mr Kwan devised an intricate plan to kill his mother’s long-term partner, a man who had done nothing to offend him.”
Kwan used his medical knowledge to create a fake identity as a community nurse named “Raj Patel.” He even forged NHS documents to arrange the home visit. After administering the injection, O’Hara cried out in pain, and Kwan quickly left, claiming that the reaction was normal.
The next day, O’Hara’s arm became discolored and blistered, leading to hospitalization. He was later diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis, a serious condition that required surgery to save his life.
Kwan was arrested after police traced his movements using CCTV footage. When officers searched his home, they found various chemicals, including arsenic and liquid mercury, as well as castor beans, which can be used to make ricin.
Detective Chief Inspector Jason Henry praised O’Hara for his strength throughout the investigation, saying, “Thomas Kwan’s actions were utterly despicable. He used his experience as a doctor to deceive the victim.”
Kwan is awaiting sentencing, and the judge warned him that he would face a long prison term. Kwan’s lawyer acknowledged the inevitability of this outcome, stating that the defendant fully understands.
