Doctor Pleads Guilty to Poisoning Mother’s Partner, Disguised as a Nurse
A British doctor, Thomas Kwan, 53, pleaded guilty on Monday to the attempted murder of his mother’s partner, Patrick O’Hara. Kwan disguised himself as a nurse and injected O’Hara with poison, claiming it was a Covid vaccine. The incident took place on January 22nd in Newcastle, England.
Kwan arranged a fake medical appointment with O’Hara, sending bogus letters claiming he needed a Covid vaccination. He wore a wig, facial hair, and a medical mask to avoid being recognized by his mother and O’Hara, both in their 70s.
Hours after the injection, O’Hara developed a skin condition around the injection site and became seriously ill. He was admitted to the hospital after showing hospital staff the fake vaccination letters. O’Hara underwent skin grafts to repair extensive damage from the poisoning and sustained life-changing injuries. The skin condition was a fatal flesh-eating bacterial infection called necrotizing fasciitis. The Crown Prosecution Service stated that O’Hara was injected with an as-yet unconfirmed toxin.
Kwan installed fake license plates on his vehicle before driving to O’Hara’s home. Prosecutor Peter Makepeace suggested Kwan’s motive was related to his mother’s will, which stated that O’Hara would inherit her home if she died. Kwan believed that O’Hara’s survival was preventing him from inheriting the property.
A search of Kwan’s home revealed files on his computer containing downloads of a “poisoner’s handbook” and other files related to using poisons to kill a person. Makepeace told jurors that Kwan used his extensive knowledge and research on poisons to carry out his plan.
Kwan was charged with attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Initially pleading not guilty, he changed his plea on Monday to guilty for attempted murder.
Kwan will be sentenced at a later date and remains in custody. Detective Chief Inspector Jason Henry of Northumbria Police stated that the evidence against Kwan was overwhelming and that his guilty plea brings justice for the victim. Henry expressed hope that the conviction will help O’Hara move on with his life.