Dr. Thomas Kwan, a general practitioner, was sentenced to more than 31 years in prison after attempting to murder his mother’s partner, Patrick O’Hara, with a deadly injection disguised as a routine COVID-19 booster.
This audacious plan was motivated by Kwan’s obsession with his inheritance, which led him to try and remove what he saw as an obstacle to his financial gain.
A Relationship Ruined by Money and Resentment
Kwan’s relationship with his mother, Jenny Leung, was long strained, particularly after a divorce nearly three decades ago.
His bitterness grew when, upon his father’s death, his younger brother received a larger share of the inheritance—something Kwan considered deeply unfair.
He believed that as the eldest child, he was entitled to the largest portion, a belief deeply rooted in his cultural expectations.
The court also heard how Kwan had written a letter to his mother a year before the poisoning attempt, demanding to be made the sole executor of her will.
He accused her of stealing money from the family and expressed resentment over what he felt was a stolen inheritance.
The Plot Unfolds: Disguised as a Nurse
Kwan’s plan took shape over two years as he meticulously forged NHS documents to set up a fake appointment with Mr. O’Hara.
Disguised in a hat, mask, and coat, Kwan posed as a nurse named Raj Patel and administered the poison, a little-known pesticide called iodomethane.
His intention was to kill Mr. O’Hara and remove him as a barrier to his inheritance.
Kwan’s extensive knowledge of poisons, including ricin, revealed the chilling extent of his preparations.
Victim’s Struggle for Survival
After receiving the injection, Mr. O’Hara experienced excruciating pain and was later diagnosed with necrotising fasciitis, a life-threatening condition caused by the poison.
He spent five weeks in the hospital undergoing multiple surgeries, including skin grafts, to save his arm and life.
Despite initial recovery, Mr. O’Hara suffered complications, including hair loss, fatigue, and hallucinations, leaving him physically and emotionally scarred by the ordeal.
In his victim impact statement, Mr. O’Hara spoke about the profound toll the attack had taken on him.
“This incident should have been the end of me,” he said, expressing disbelief at the betrayal he faced from someone he trusted.
A Dangerous Obsession with Financial Gain
The court found that Kwan’s obsession with money and his belief in his entitlement were key drivers behind his actions.
Mrs. Justice Lambert stated that Kwan was willing to go to extreme lengths for financial gain, even to the point of committing murder.
His resentment toward both his mother and Mr. O’Hara, fueled by perceived injustices surrounding his inheritance, led to a dangerous, calculated attack.
Kwan’s actions were also marked by a pattern of control and manipulation.
He had secretly installed spyware on his mother’s laptop to monitor her finances and personal life, and his troubling behavior escalated to the point of physically confronting her and Mr. O’Hara in their home over financial matters.
The Consequences of a Deadly Plan
After the poisoning attempt, police were able to trace the nurse back to Kwan’s home through CCTV and other evidence.
His calm demeanor during his arrest stood in stark contrast to the severity of his crime.
Despite the horrific nature of the attack, the judge ruled that Kwan still posed a significant risk to both Mr. O’Hara and his own mother, imposing a restraining order to prevent any contact.
The case highlights not only the extreme lengths Kwan was willing to go for financial gain but also the lasting impact of his actions on his victim.
As the judge sentenced Kwan, she remarked on his distorted sense of entitlement and capacity for extreme behavior in pursuit of his own needs.
This chilling case serves as a reminder of how financial greed can drive people to commit unspeakable acts.
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