Doctor stabbed fellow surgeon after failed plot to set house alight, court told
A plastic surgeon attempted to murder a fellow doctor by stabbing him in his home after a failed plot to set his house on fire, a court has heard.
Jurors were told that consultant surgeon Peter Brooks, a specialist in burns and plastics, “hated” Graeme Perks, and cycled to his house in the early hours of January 14 2021 before breaking in wearing camouflage and armed with a crowbar, petrol, matches and a knife.
Prosecution KC Tracy Ayling told Loughborough courthouse (pictured) that Brooks doused the ground floor of the property, in Halam Hill, Halam, Nottinghamshire, in petrol after breaking in through a conservatory door.
The 61-year-old went on trial in his absence without legal representation charged with two counts of attempted murder, attempted arson with intent to endanger life, and possession of a knife in a public place.
Opening the case on Monday, Ms Ayling told the court: “His intention was, say the Crown, to break into Mr Perks’ house, set fire to it and, if necessary, stab Mr Perks.
“In short, the Crown say he intended to kill Mr Perks by either of those means – the use of fire or the use of the knife.”
The court heard that Brooks was the subject of disciplinary proceedings at work and could have faced dismissal from Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
The jury was told that statements from Mr Perks “formed part of the evidence” in the proceedings and Brooks wanted to get him “out of the way”.
Ms Ayling said: “The prosecution does not have to prove a motive for any crime, however it is clear that the defendant hated Graeme Perks.
“Mr Perks was asleep in bed and heard a loud noise in the early hours of the morning. He got out of bed… and ran downstairs and into the drawing room.
“Mr Perks said to police afterwards that he thought he smelt something unusual and his feet felt a bit damp.”
The prosecutor said the victim thought a figure was his son but then “felt a blow to his body” and put his hands to his abdomen where it was “warm and sticky and felt something poking out”.
Ms Ayling continued: “He decided he must have been stabbed, he did not remember anything after that. His family heard screaming and went downstairs.
“Because of quick action and amazing surgical skill, Graeme Perks lives.”
Jurors were told that he required three operations before he was moved to critical care and remained in a medically induced coma after sustaining incision wounds to his liver and pancreas.
Later on the morning of the attack, Brooks was arrested in hospital after he was found asleep on a bench in a garden bleeding from his hand, the court heard.
Ms Ayling told the jury that a flammable liquid had been thrown up the stair walls, which was the only exit point for people sleeping upstairs, and the intention “must have been to to kill those in the property and… stop them escaping down the staircase”.
The jury was played a recording of the 999 call made by Mr Perks’ son, during which he said: “He’s been stabbed in the house. We need the police involved. There’s been an intruder in the house.”
Jurors were also shown body-worn camera footage of the victim receiving medical attention near the bottom of his staircase.
Mr Justice Pepperall told the jury that the defendant will not be in court for his trial, which is expected to last 14 weeks, and said: “The fact he is not here does not affect your task which is to decide whether he is guilty of the charges against him.
“You must not speculate about the reason Dr Brooks is not here – his absence is not evidence against him and must not affect your judgment.
“You will not have any evidence from him to contradict the prosecution’s evidence. Dr Brooks has the right to legal representation however it was his choice not to be represented in this case.”
The defendant has denied all charges against him.
The trial continues.
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