Thomas Kwan, a 53-year-old general practitioner, has been sentenced to 31 years and five months in prison after attempting to murder his mother’s partner, Patrick O’Hara, in a plot-driven by greed. Kwan disguised himself as a community nurse and injected O’Hara with a toxin, leading to a life-threatening condition.
The incident took place in January 2024, when Kwan posed as a healthcare worker administering a coronavirus booster shot. The victim, O’Hara, suffered from necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh-eating disease that required extensive medical treatment, including multiple skin grafts.
The court heard that Kwan’s actions were part of a carefully planned and calculated scheme motivated by resentment over his mother’s will, which had granted O’Hara a share of her estate. Kwan had been obsessively monitoring his mother’s finances for years, even installing spyware on her computer.
His obsession with inheriting her assets, combined with bitterness towards both her and O’Hara, led him to plan the poisoning. Kwan’s wealth and professional background as a doctor further underscored the premeditated nature of the crime.
On the day of the attack, Kwan traveled to Newcastle under a fake identity, using forged documents and disguised with a mask, wig, and false beard. He performed a mock health check on O’Hara before injecting him with the poison. The victim immediately experienced excruciating pain but was misled by Kwan, who claimed it was a normal reaction.
Doctor Sentenced to 31 Years for Attempted Murder in Greed-Fueled Plot Against Mother’s Partner
However, after becoming suspicious, O’Hara sought medical attention and was later diagnosed with a severe infection. Doctors fought to save his life as the disease spread rapidly, requiring multiple surgeries and leaving O’Hara with long-term physical and psychological trauma.
Kwan’s plot extended beyond the poisoning attempt, as investigators discovered multiple poisons, including the toxic pesticide iodomethane, in his home. Evidence also suggested that Kwan had prepared a “back-up plan” involving a fake charity to deliver food and wine, possibly as part of an additional poisoning attempt.
The court also found that Kwan had a disturbing interest in poisons and had conducted extensive research on the subject, particularly focusing on iodomethane. These findings painted a picture of a dangerous individual capable of extreme behavior to achieve his desires.
During sentencing, Judge Mrs. Justice Lambert described Kwan’s actions as “calculated and callous,” emphasizing the extensive planning and audacity involved in the crime. She noted that the poisoning had a profound impact on O’Hara, who now suffers from PTSD, flashbacks, and ongoing health issues.
The judge condemned Kwan’s sense of entitlement and his distorted thinking, concluding that he posed a high risk of harm to others. She labeled him a “dangerous offender” and emphasized the deep psychological and physical consequences his victim continues to endure.
