The dramatic case of Dr. Thomas Kwan, whose actions in an inheritance dispute have been described as “stranger than fiction,” has reached a grim conclusion with the former GP sentenced to 31 years and five months in prison. Kwan, 53, attempted to murder his mother’s partner, Patrick O’Hara, in a calculated scheme to secure a larger share of his mother’s estate, a case previously explored in my article “What Not to Do if You Want to Dispute a Will.”
In January, Kwan disguised himself as a community nurse and injected Mr. O’Hara with a toxin under the pretence of administering a Covid-19 booster shot. The attack left Mr. O’Hara with life-threatening injuries, including a rare flesh-eating infection that required multiple surgeries. The Newcastle Crown Court heard how Kwan’s meticulous planning involved forged NHS letters, false identities, and spyware installed on his mother’s computer — all part of an elaborate plot driven by obsession over his inheritance.
In sentencing, Mrs. Justice Lambert condemned Kwan’s “shocking level of distorted thinking,” highlighting his “distinct sense of entitlement” and willingness to engage in extreme behaviour to fulfil his own desires. While this case is an outlier, it underscores the destructive potential of inheritance disputes when emotions run high and proper legal channels are ignored.
As covered in “What Not to Do if You Want to Dispute a Will,” individuals who believe they have a rightful claim to an inheritance should avoid unlawful actions and seek advice from a solicitor. Pursuing a dispute through the courts is the responsible course of action, ensuring that grievances are resolved fairly and within the law, unlike the reckless and tragic path taken by Dr. Kwan.
