Poison plot GP's victim says attempted murderer's 31 year jail term 'could be a bit longer'

The victim of poison plot GP Thomas Kwan is "still recovering" 10 months on from a bogus Covid booster that turned out to be home-made poison.

Patrick O'Hara, 71, had been in a relationship with Wai King Leung for more than 20 years, when her son carried out an audacious plot to murder him for financial gain. The 53-year-old entered the former couple's home in disguise and administered an injection that left Mr O'Hara fighting for his life in the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle with a flesh eating disease.

After money-obsessed Kwan, of Brading Court in Ingleby Barwick, was sentenced to 31 years and five months behind bars on Wednesday, Mr O'Hara spoke to press outside the court, where he revealed that he was still recovering. He said: "I'm feeling alright but obviously this year has been horrendous. Hopefully it'll never happen to anyone else.

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"I feel the sentence could be a bit longer, but I'm happy that justice has been done." Mr O'Hara says that he is still struggling with the post trauma and remains in recovery.

He added: "I'm just seeing psychologists and everyone else and trying to get through it. I come from a generation where you feel you don't go into mental (health issues), but now it's acceptable."

Mr O'Hara thanked the judge, police, and the Crown Prosecution Service, saying that they had done an "absolute magnificent job of bringing this man to justice." He also thanked his family and the NHS.

Namechecking the RVI Hospital, his consultants, intensive care staff, and staff in Ward 47, he said: "Without this I don't think I would have survived, they've been absolutely fantastic."

Following the hearing, the officer in charge of the case Detective Chief Inspector Jason Henry, of Northumbria Police, said: "I'd like to take this opportunity to reiterate our praise for the victim in this case. We are extremely grateful to him for his co-operation throughout our complex investigation and hope that now the man who poisoned him has been jailed he can begin to move on with his life."

Detective Chief Inspector Henry added: "Thomas Kwan spent time meticulously planning how he would carry out this offence and cover his tracks. However, thanks to the assistance of the victim and witnesses, and the hard work of our dedicated officers, we managed to piece together what happened, ensuring he was brought to justice."

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