Woman released over suspected poisoning

A woman arrested by detectives probing an alleged poisoning in Newcastle has been told she will not be charged.

The former suspect, who is in her 40s, was held on suspicion of attempted murder in February after a doctor appeared in court accused of trying to kill a man in his 70s, in Newcastle city centre.

GP Thomas Kwan, has been charged with the attempted murder of Patrick O’Hara by poisoning, and charges of producing and using the poison ricin.

Detectives arrested and questioned the woman earlier this year. She was released on bail but has now been told she will face no further action.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “Following a report of attempted murder which officers received on January 24, a woman in her 40s was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. She has now been told she will face no further action.”

Hong Kong-born Dr Kwan, of Brading Court in Ingleby Barwick, on Teesside, was a GP at a medical practice in Sunderland before his arrest. The offence is alleged to have taken place on January 24 at St Thomas Street in Newcastle city centre.

The 52-year-old made his latest appearance at Newcastle Crown Court last month when a timetable for the case was set out and a trial date was fixed for July. The court heard his fitness to plead is being investigated. He has been remanded in custody.

Peter Makepeace KC, prosecuting, said that as well as the charge of attempted murder of Mr O’Hara on January 22, Kwan faces two other charges.

He is accused of producing a chemical weapon, namely ricin, between January 1 and January 22 this year and he is accused of using a chemical weapon, namely ricin, on January 22.

Brian Hegarty, defending, said Kwan will be contesting the charges.

A statement published online by the NHS confirms that the alleged victim was not one of Dr Kwan’s patients.

In February searches were carried out at a property in Ingleby Barwick as part of the investigation.

Police, ambulance and fire crews were spotted on Brading Court. Firefighters were seen putting on protective hazmat-style suits, with a cordon erected at the front of the road alongside several police vans and four fire service cars. And investigators wearing gas masks were seen entering the property.