GP plotted ‘murder by poison’
Thomas Kwan appears in court accused of attempting to kill his mother’s partner
A DOCTOR has appeared in court accused of attempting to murder his mother’s partner by poisoning him.
Thomas Kwan was charged after police officers entered an address in Stockton-on-tees where they found “unknown substances” on Tuesday.
Dr Kwan, 52, appeared at Newcastle magistrates’ court yesterday charged with the attempted murder of Patrick O’hara on Jan 22.
The bespectacled Dr Kwan appeared at court yesterday morning wearing a striped, yellow shirt.
The Sunderland-based GP spoke only to confirm his name, age, and address. He was not asked to enter a plea.
Michael Gibson, for the defendant, said: “Mr Kwan was born in Hong Kong. He came to the UK 39 years ago as a student.” He added that his client had “worked hard” to make it to the position of general practitioner and now lived a “happy, successful family life”.
He added: “He is now married. They have a 10-year-old son.”
John Carson, the chair of the bench, t old Dr Kwan t hat he would be remanded in custody.
He will next appear at Newcastle Crown Court on Mar 6.
The court appearance came hours after forensic searches were carried out at Dr Kwan’s £300,000 detached home in Ingleby Barwick, Stockton-on-tees.
A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “As part of an ongoing investigation, an address in the Ingleby Barwick area of Stockton was being searched.
“This led to t he di s covery 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 inquiries are ongoing.”
A neighbour said emergency services had erected three tents on the residential road on Tuesday night.
One resident said: “Police knocked on the door and said they had located an unknown s ubstance i nsi de t he property. There has been a policeman standing in the front garden all night and all day.
“There is a small tent, a big tent and then one out the back in the garden.”
Another added: “It’s normally very uneventful around here so seeing firemen in hazmat suits and tents erected in gardens is all a bit surreal.
“It came as a big shock to see the scale of the police operation when it really began in earnest.
“There is a large yellow tent erected in the back garden, presumably to contain and examine whatever was found at the property.”
Cleveland Police, who are supporting the investigation, said there would be an increased police presence “as officers who are experts in handling substances visit the property”.
A Cleveland Police spokesman said: “The public should be reassured there is no risk to the community’s safety.”
‘It came as a big shock to see the scale of the police operation in the back garden’