Ex-GP admits to murder attempt using laced wine

AN ex-GP serving life for trying to poison his mother’s partner with a fake Covid jab has admitted another plot to kill him by sending him wine laced with a highly toxic metal.

- By TOM WILKINSON, PA

Thomas Kwan, who is already serving a minimum term of 31 years for the attempted murder of 73-year-old Patrick O'Hara, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to admit a previous plan to kill him after setting up a fake wine club.

Kwan, who lived in Ingleby Barwick and was formerly a GP in Sunderland, also admitted administering a noxious substance to Torquil Gundlach, who also consumed some of the wine which was laced with thallium, while the GP intended to injure Mr O'Hara.

The 54-year-old contacted Mr O'Hara via the fictitious Northern Wine and Drinks Tasting Gentlemen’s Club and sent him between 18 and 21 bottles, some of which were poisoned.

Mr O'Hara drank some of the bottles and gifted one to Mr Gundlach.

The wine plot spanned September 2022 to January 2024 - when Kwan carried out his Covid jab plot.

Peter Makepeace KC, prosecuting, said two bottles recovered contained poison and there was evidence that a third, which was laced with thallium, caused Mr O'Hara to fall ill.

Mr Makepeace said not all of the bottles were found to contain poison as Mr O'Hara would have swiftly fallen ill, “quickly bringing the scheme to a halt”.