Surgeon who attacked rival doctor with knife at £1m luxury home jailed for life

Daily Mirror

a day ago

A plastic surgeon who attempted to murder a colleague who took part in a disciplinary hearing against him has been jailed for life.
Jonathan Peter Brooks, 61, broke into the £1m family home of fellow doctor Graeme Perks and stabbed him after trying to burn down the property. He had armed himself with petrol, matches and a knife before cycling to the house in camouflage gear to get his colleague 'out of the way'.
Brooks doused the property in petrol and stabbed Mr Perks, 67, when he came downstairs after hearing a loud noise. He was rushed to hospital after being found by his wife and son and only survived thanks to 'quick action and amazing surgical skill'.
Brooks was found 'cold and asleep' in a garden several hours later and arrested in hospital after being taken there by paramedics.
The attack took place in January 2021 during the Covid lockdown, three days after disciplinary proceedings had begun against the defendant.
Brooks tried to get the hearing postponed a day before the attack in Halam, Notts – but his request was refused. Prosecutors said he then decided 'that instead of following the law he was going to take the law into his own hands'.
Mr Perks, who worked with Brooks at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, lived with wife Beverley, 68, and adult son Henry. Brooks's DNA was found on the knife, while fragments of glass were discovered on his clothing.
The burns specialist, of Southwell, Notts, was convicted of two counts of attempted murder in April. He was also found guilty of attempted arson with intent to endanger life and possession of a knife in a public place.
He was jailed for life today with a minimum term of 22 years.
Brooks refused to attend his trial in Loughborough, Leics, because he was on hunger strike in prison.
He also sacked his lawyers and was unrepresented in the case.
His only appearance during the trial came during a legal argument hearing in the jury's absence.
He appeared in court via video-link from HMP Norwich and could be seen lying on the floor.
In a failed bid for an adjournment, he told the judge: 'I would rather be dead than in prison so I continued with my hunger strike.
'I have had enough of being in prison.
'I don't particularly want to die but if my choice is between incarceration and death, I would rather be dead than incarcerated.'
Rachel Dean, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said Brooks carried out a 'planned, calculated attack'.
Det Insp Matt Scott, of Nottinghamshire Police, said Brooks clearly intended to 'fatally injure his victim'.
He said Mr Perks and his family had shown 'enormous courage and dignity' throughout the 'extremely distressing ordeal'.