GP accused of making chemical weapon ricin and attempting to kill mum's partner

06 March 2024 , 13:35

540     0

Police searching a property in Ingleby Barwick (Image: North News & Pictures northn)

A GP has appeared in court accused of attempted murder and producing the chemical weapon ricin.

Thomas Kwan appeared via video link from Hull for the hearing at Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday. Kwan, 52, is accused of attempting to murder his mother's partner Patrick O'Hara, who is in his 70s, by injecting him with poison on Jan 22 this year.

Peter Makepeace, KC, prosecuting, told the Recorder of Newcastle Judge Paul Sloan that Kwan now faced two further charges. He said: "Count two is the production of a chemical weapon contrary to Section 2 1(b) of the Chemical Weapons Act. It states that between Jan 1, 2024 and Jan 22, 2024, he produced a chemical weapon namely ricin contrary to the Chemical Weapons Act of 1996.

"Count three is that he used a chemical weapon, namely ricin, contrary to the Chemical Weapons Act." Brian Hegarty, for Kwan, indicated that his client intended to contest the additional two charges.

Emergency services descended on an Ingleby Barwick property (North News & Pictures northn)

‌Kwan, of Ingleby Barwick, was charged after police found 'unknown substances' on February 6 at a property in Ingleby Barwick, Teesside. He was not asked to enter any pleas to the charges against him. Judge Sloan set a trial date for July 29, and informed Kwan that he would be required to attend in person.

Drink-driver steals JCB digger to smash into family house in revenge attack

‌Kwan, of Ingleby Barwick, was charged after police found 'unknown substances' (North News & Pictures northn)

He added: "If you refuse to do so, the trial can go ahead in your absence, and that may lead to a jury inference against you. You will be required to submit a defence statement. If you have committed any offences which arise from these allegations, then the sooner you tell the court the better, and the less severe your punishment will be.

The operation culminated in an arrest (North News & Pictures northn)

"If you have committed any offences, the longer you leave it then the worse the punishment will be. You can return to the wing." Bald, bespectacled and dressed in a light sweat top, Kwan spoke only to confirm his name. He was listed as a partner of the Happy House Surgery in Sunderland.

Michael Gibson, for Kwan, told magistrates in Newcastle at an earlier hearing that his client had worked hard to make it to the position of GP and lived a happy, successful family life. He said Kwan was married with a son aged ten. He moved to Britain 39 years ago from Hong Kong, where he was born.

Jeremy Armstrong