Nottingham University Hospital Trust surgeon found guilty of attempting to kill colleague

A Nottingham University Hospital Trust surgeon has been found guilty of attempting to murder his colleague.

Jonathan Peter Brooks, once a respected burns and plastics specialist, carried out the attack on Graeme Perks on 14th January 2021 at Mr Perks’s home in Halam, Nottinghamshire.

Loughborough Crown Court heard how Brooks “hated” Mr Perks, who had been a key witness in disciplinary proceedings against Brooks. Just three days after those proceedings began, Brooks armed himself with a knife, crowbar, petrol, matches and camouflage clothing, and broke into his former colleague’s home in the early hours of the morning.

Container of fuel found in Brooks’ bike pannier via Nottinghamshire Police

Mr Perks, a recently retired consultant plastic surgeon, was woken by the sound of Brooks breaking in through the conservatory. Mistaking the figure for his son, Brooks approached Mr Perks and stabbed him in the abdomen. His wife Beverley and son Henry raised the alarm and emergency services rushed to the scene. Mr Perks was hospitalised for over a month, and only survived thanks to what the court described as “quick action and amazing surgical skill”.

In a harrowing testimony, Mr Perks recalled the moment he realised the severity of his injuries: “My recollection is that all I felt was guts sticking out. Sadly, I’m experienced enough to recognise that it was intestine.”

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The BBC reported that detectives linked Brooks to the scene through a series of forensic clues; his blood was found on a crowbar used to break in, on the handle of the knife used in the stabbing and in the conservatory. CCTV footage further tracked his movements before and after the attack. Inside his garage, police discovered petrol in a bicycle pannier, matches, and more of Brooks’s blood: Clear signs of a meticulously planned attempt not only to kill, but to burn down the house and potentially harm others.

Brooks refused to attend his trial in person, choosing instead to go on a hunger strike. He dismissed his legal team prior to proceedings and appeared via video-link just once, lying on the floor and telling the judge: “I would rather be dead than in prison.”

Brooks’ blood was foud on a door at the scene of the attack via Nottinghamshire Police

His actions during the trial, including multiple attempts to delay proceedings, were described by the judge as efforts “to disrupt and manipulate rather than to participate”.

Judge Edward Pepperall, addressing the jury, praised their careful deliberation and impartiality despite Brooks’ absence: “You have not thought for one moment that because Dr Brooks was not here he was guilty. That was the right approach, and I thank you for it.”

Jurors deliberated for more than 12 hours before unanimously convicting Brooks of two counts of attempted murder, attempted arson with intent to endanger life, and possession of a bladed article.

The verdict was welcomed by the Crown Prosecution Service, with Rachel Dean calling it “a planned, calculated attack” and describing Brooks’s behaviour as an attempt to “evade responsibility by any means”.

Detective Inspector Matt Scott of Nottinghamshire Police said: “This was a vicious and calculating attack that very nearly cost a wholly innocent man his life.

“Our contention has always been that Brooks set off that morning with a very clear intention in mind – to fatally injure his victim.

“I am pleased that – having heard all the available evidence – the trial jury agreed and hope that today’s verdict provides at least some degree of comfort to the victim and his family.

“Over the last four years he and his family have been through an extremely distressing ordeal and I would like to thank them for the enormous courage and dignity they have shown throughout this process.”

Sentencing is set for 3rd June, with the judge requesting that the governor of HMP Norwich ensure Brooks appears in person, acknowledging that his prior behaviour suggests he may again refuse to attend.

Featured image via Facebook