A British doctor, Thomas Kwan, aged 53, has been found guilty of attempting to murder his mother’s partner, Patrick O’Hara. Kwan, who worked as a doctor in Sunderland, executed an elaborate scheme involving forged medical documents, impersonation, and a poison injection, all driven by a motive rooted in financial greed.
Kwan devised a plan to eliminate O'Hara because his mother’s will stipulated that her house would go to O’Hara if he outlived her. Concerned about losing the family property, Kwan used his medical knowledge and research skills to concoct the perfect murder plan. His intent was to ensure that O'Hara wouldn’t be around to inherit the house upon his mother’s death.
Disguising himself as a community nurse, Kwan approached O’Hara under the pretense of administering a COVID-19 booster shot. Instead of a vaccine, however, Kwan injected him with poison. Despite the deadly injection, O’Hara survived the attempt on his life but suffered severe complications, including necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh-eating bacterial infection, as a result.
Mr. Kwan used his encyclopedic knowledge of, and research into, poisons to carry out his plan.
Peter Makepeace, Prosecutor
To carry out the crime, Kwan went to great lengths to ensure his identity remained hidden. He checked into a hotel under a false name and rented a car with fraudulent number plates. Additionally, he wore a wig as part of his disguise to further conceal his identity. His deception extended to falsifying the medical documents necessary to convince O’Hara and those around him that he was a legitimate healthcare worker.
After the poison took effect and O’Hara became gravely ill, authorities were alerted, leading to an investigation that uncovered Kwan’s meticulously planned plot. He was arrested and subsequently charged with attempted murder. During his trial at Newcastle Crown Court, Kwan pleaded guilty to the charge. His actions, driven by financial motives, shocked many, as he had used his medical expertise for such a malevolent purpose.
Kwan’s knowledge of poisons and his access to medical resources enabled him to execute the plan with precision. However, his detailed efforts to cover his tracks, including the use of disguises and fake identities, ultimately failed to protect him from justice. His trial has drawn attention to the lengths some individuals will go to in order to secure financial gain, even if it involves harming others.
Kwan now faces the legal consequences of his actions. The case has raised concerns about the potential misuse of medical knowledge by professionals and the vulnerabilities in the healthcare system that can be exploited by those with malicious intent. As the investigation continues, the court is expected to sentence Kwan, who could face a lengthy prison term for his crimes.
Reference:
1. “Doctor Admits Attempting to Kill Mother’s Partner with Fake Covid-19 Shot.” CNN, October 7, 2024. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/07/uk/doctor-admits-fake-covid-gbr-intl-scli/index.html
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)
