Plastic surgeon jailed for life for trying to kill colleague

A plastic surgeon has been jailed for life for attempting to murder a colleague he wanted "out of the way" because he was a witness against him in disciplinary proceedings.

Jonathan Peter Brooks broke into Graeme Perks's home in Halam, Nottinghamshire, in the early hours of 14 January 2021, wearing camouflage gear and armed with a crowbar, cans of petrol, matches and a knife.

A trial in Loughborough heard Mr Perks had a "95% chance of dying" after being stabbed by Brooks.

Brooks, who was convicted of attempted murder, attempted arson with intent to endanger life and possession of a bladed article, was told he would serve at least 22 years in prison.

During the sentencing hearing on Monday, Judge Edward Pepperall said Brooks's life had been "falling apart" in January 2021 - with the surgeon anticipating losing his job and house following the disciplinary action at work.

Addressing Brooks, he said: "You were fixated on your employment difficulties. Whatever the rights and wrongs of those difficulties, you blamed Graeme Perks."

He said Brooks's "simmering sense of grievance" towards Mr Perks developed and he subsequently went out prepared for a "murderous expedition".

Brooks smashed conservatory doors and doused the ground floor of the house with petrol, intending to set it on fire.

Mr Perks, a consultant plastic surgeon who had recently retired, was woken by the break-in and initially mistook the defendant for his son, before Brooks stabbed him in the abdomen.

The trial previously heard Mr Perks's injuries were "of the most serious type", and included a bleeding liver, injuries to the pancreas and bowel, and an "extremely life-threatening injury" to the back of the abdomen.

Mr Perks only survived because of "quick action and amazing surgical skill", the court had heard.

Brooks appeared via video-link from HMP Norwich after refusing to attend the court in person, having claimed he had a bedsore that meant he would be unable to sit for long periods.

The judge said he was informed Brooks was physically fit to attend, and there was no reason he could not.

Throughout the hearing, Brooks moved around in his room, occasionally standing from his wheelchair.

He was sitting looking towards the camera as his sentence was handed down.

With time already spent in custody, Brooks will serve 17 years and 223 days in prison.

Sam Shallow, from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said: "Peter Brooks committed an act of extreme violence, attempting to murder a highly respected colleague.

"This was a planned, calculated attack, in which Brooks showed he was determined to kill his former colleague."