A British doctor has admitted to attempted murder after disguising himself as a nurse to inject his mother’s partner with a fake Covid-19 booster in a dispute over inheritance.
Thomas Kwan, 53, initially denied the charge but later changed his plea at Newcastle Crown Court. His victim, Patrick O’Hara, suffered from a “rare and life-threatening flesh-eating disease” after being injected with a toxin during the attack on 22 January.
Kwan, from Ingleby Barwick, Teesside, went to extreme lengths to conceal his identity, donning a disguise and sending fake NHS letters to O’Hara, offering a home visit.
The court heard Kwan’s motive stemmed from his obsession with his inheritance, as his mother, Wai King (also known as Jenny Leung), had left her home to O’Hara in her will, only passing it to her children if O’Hara died.
Prosecutor Peter Makepeace KC described the elaborate plot as “stranger than fiction.” Kwan pretended to be a nurse during a home visit, offering O’Hara a fake Covid-19 jab. After injecting the 71-year-old, O’Hara felt immediate pain and grew suspicious when Kwan quickly left.
O’Hara was later diagnosed with necrotising fasciitis and underwent surgery to remove parts of his arm. Investigations revealed Kwan had an “obsession” with poisons, with scientists suggesting the toxin used was likely iodomethane.
Kwan is expected to face a “substantial” prison sentence, with sentencing scheduled for 17 October. Detectives praised O’Hara for his bravery in enduring a life-changing ordeal and highlighted the overwhelming evidence that led to Kwan’s swift arrest.
