A doctor has appeared in court accused of attempted murder after a suspected poison attack.
Dr Thomas Kwan, 52, is accused of trying to kill his mother’s partner, Patrick O’Hara, who is in his 70s, by injecting him with poison.
The balding, bespectacled GP spoke only to confirm his name, age, and address when he appeared before JPs in Newcastle yesterday.
He was not asked to enter a plea.
The area around his house in Ingleby Barwick, Teesside, was cordoned off on Tuesday evening as police, paramedics and firefighters launched a huge operation.
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Emergency crews in protective suits were seen entering the property and police later said an “unknown substance” had been found.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson added: “Following a report of suspected poisoning which was received on Wednesday, January 24, Thomas Kwan, 52, has been charged with attempted murder.”
The married dad-of-one was remanded in custody and will next appear at Newcastle crown court on March 6.
He was born in Hong Kong and came to the UK 39 years ago as a student.
His GP practice is in Sunderland.