Doctor on attempted murder charge as police seize ‘unknown substances’
A DOCTOR has been charged with attempted murder of a man in his seventies with poison.
Dr thomas Kwan, 52, appeared in court yesterday after police allegedly found ‘unknown substances’ while searching a property in Ingleby Barwick, near stockton-on-tees.
the alleged victim was Patrick O’Hara, the long-term partner of Dr Kwan’s mother, according to court documents, and not one of his patients.
the doctor, a married father-ofone was born in Hong Kong and came to the UK 39 years ago as a student, his lawyers said.
It is understood his medical practice is in sunderland.
Dr Kwan was remanded in custody following a short hearing at newcastle Magistrates court yesterday. the bespectacled doctor did not enter any pleas and will appear before newcastle crown court on March 6.
A northumbria Police spokesman said: ‘Following a report of suspected poisoning which was received on Wednesday, January 24, thomas Kwan, 52, of Brading court, Ingleby Barwick, has been charged with attempted murder.
‘He is due to appear at newcastle Magistrates’ court.’ this came after an update from the force on tuesday night, which said: ‘As part of an ongoing investigation, an address in the Ingleby Barwick area of stockton was being searched. this led to the discovery of unknown substances and as a precaution, officers are conducting further checks at the property. there is believed to be no wider risk to the public and enquiries are ongoing.’
searches of his £300,000 detached
‘No wider risk to the public’
four-bedroom home on Brading court began on Monday and on tuesday the operation involved police, paramedics and firefighters. neighbours said that it had been a ‘big shock’ to see the police operation.
One told the times: ‘the area is popular with medical people, there are quite a few doctors in this part of Ingleby but he isn’t someone who mixes with the neighbours.’