A British doctor has been sentenced to 31 years in prison for attempting to murder his mother's boyfriend by injecting him with a fake COVID-19 vaccine laced with poison. Dr. Thomas Kwan, 53, disguised himself as a nurse and visited Patrick O'Hara's home under the guise of administering a virus booster shot. His motive stemmed from a desire to inherit his mother's home, believing O'Hara stood in the way of his inheritance.
Justice Christina Lambert described Kwan's plan as audacious and nearly successful, emphasizing his obsession with money and entitlement. Kwan pleaded guilty to attempted murder in Newcastle Crown Court last month. O'Hara, 72, survived the poisoning after enduring intensive care and surgical procedures to remove the necrotizing fasciitis caused by the poison.
The incident left O'Hara severely impacted, leading to the end of his relationship with Kwan's mother, Jenny Leung. Police utilized surveillance footage to apprehend Kwan, revealing an elaborate scheme involving fake NHS letters and a disguised home visit with poisoned substances.
Kwan's fascination with poisons was evident through the discovery of arsenic, liquid mercury, and castor beans in his residence, along with instructions on making ricin. The judge highlighted Kwan's resentment towards his mother and O'Hara, driven by financial motives following his father's death and a provision in his mother's will favoring O'Hara's residency in her home.
O'Hara expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, acknowledging that justice had been served through Kwan's sentencing. The case underscores the severity of the crime and the dangerous implications of Kwan's actions, which endangered O'Hara's life and well-being.
