Police say doctor disguised himself as a nurse to kill his mother’s lover with a fake COVID booster

(Gray News) – A doctor in England admitted hatching an elaborate plan to disguise himself in order to poison his mother’s partner with a fake COVID-19 booster shot, officials said.

Northumbria Police said 53-year-old Thomas Kwan sent fake doctor’s notes to the man, in his 70s, claiming he should get a jab and making an appointment to visit him at his home on January 22 .

Kwan wore a disguise, including a wig and fake facial hair, so his mother and her then-partner couldn’t recognize him, police said.

Instead of administering a COVID-19 vaccine, he injected his victim with poison believed to be a pesticide, police said.

Hours after receiving the injection, the victim became extremely ill and developed a severe skin condition around the injection site.

He was later taken to hospital where it was discovered that the appointment reminders sent to him were fake and the police were informed.

The victim did not die but suffered from a rare, life-threatening flesh-eating disease and spent weeks in intensive care, prosecutors said.

Police said the victim was forced to undergo numerous surgeries, including skin grafts, to repair the extensive damage the poisoning caused to his body.

Kwan was identified as the “nurse” who administered the injection.

When authorities searched his home, they discovered a downloaded “Poisoner’s Handbook” and a book containing instructions for murder investigations.

He was arrested and charged with attempted murder and intentional grievous bodily harm, which he initially denied.

Last week he appeared in court and pleaded guilty to attempted murder.

Police said in a Facebook post that Kwan’s behavior was “completely despicable.”

“He used his experience as a doctor to deceive the victim into believing that the doctor’s appointment he had made was real before administering the poison that caused him unimaginable pain and suffering,” police said.

Kwan remains in custody and will be sentenced at a later date.

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