Plastic surgeon, 58, ‘knifed doctor, 66, after breaking into his home wearing camouflage gear following work row’
A TOP plastic surgeon was stabbed by a rival medic who crept into his mansion with petrol to burn it down - in full camouflage, a court heard.
Peter Brooks, 58, "hated" leading doctor Graeme Perks, 65, for giving evidence about him to a disciplinary hearing, it is said.
He cycled to burns expert Mr Perks £1m home in full army fatigues armed with a kitchen knife, jerry cans of petrol and matches, a court heard.
Jurors were told that the surgeon then splashed fuel around the property with the aim of burning it down with the Perks family sleeping inside.
But when his would-be victim was woken by the noise and went downstairs to investigate, Brooks knifed him in the stomach, leaving him fighting for life.
Mr Perks was rushed to hospital after being found by his wife and son, and placed in an induced coma after losing six litres of blood.
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He only survived the 3ins deep wound, which experts said would have killed 95 per cent of patients, thanks to "quick action and amazing surgical skill".
Nottingham Crown Court heard Brooks was later found “cold and asleep” in a garden and taken to hospital where he was later arrested.
Tracy Ayling QC, said the attack took place during lockdown, on January 14 2021, three days after disciplinary proceedings had started against consultant plastic surgeon Brooks.
The prosecutor said: “Statements from Mr Perks had been served, and formed evidence in these proceedings.
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“There is no question but that by January 14 the defendant had had enough of those proceedings.
“Just as clearly, the Crown say, he decided that instead of following the law he was going to take the law into his own hands."
The court heard Brooks cycled a mile to Halam, Notts., where co-worker at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust Mr Perks was asleep with wife Beverley, 68, and their adult son Henry.
Ms Ayling said: “The defendant was dressed in full camouflage jacket, trousers, and hat. He had a head torch. He got on his bike armed with a crowbar, cans of petrol, matches and a knife.
“His intention was, say the Crown, to break into Mr Perks house, set fire to it and if necessary, stab Mr Perks. In short, he intended to kill Mr Perks.”
The prosecutor claimed Brooks appeared to have gained entry to the Perks’ home by smashing a glass conservatory door at the rear, allegedly cutting his hands in the process.
The court heard he carried two 10L jerry cans of fuel containing a "mixture of petrol and a medium petroleum distillate which was not commercially available and would produce a highly flammable liquid.
Jurors heard a fire investigation dog later found "clear indications" of petrol on the ground floor and on the staircase.
However, the court heard the plan to set fire to the house was foiled when Mr Perks was woken by a "loud noise".
Ms Ayling said: “He got out of bed, he sleeps with nothing on, and ran down the stairs and into the drawing room.
In short, he intended to kill Mr Perks.
Tracy Ayling QC
There appeared to be a huge hole in the conservatory door.
“He thought he smelt something unusual and his feet felt a bit damp. He saw a figure in dark clothing. He thought the figure was outside."
Mr Perks thought the figure was his son, Henry, and he asked him "what the hell's going on?" - at which point the person turned around.
Ms Ayling said Mr Perks’ wife and son went downstairs after hearing screaming and called 999 at 4.10am.
Paramedics arrived 14 minutes later and he was taken to Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre – his place of work.
Mr Perks had to undergo emergency surgery and needed 40 units of blood in the first three hours following his arrival at the hospital.
He was placed in a medically induced coma and required a further two operations before being moved to critical care, and left hospital on February 15.
Brooks cycled back to his house leaving behind "many of the items that he had taken with him because he had been disturbed and had had to resort to the use of a knife rather than fire".
Ms Ayling told jurors he left a trail of blood at his home then left, before being found asleep in a garden.
She said DNA from Brooks was found on the knife, and fragments of glass from the conservatory door were discovered on his clothing
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Brooks, of Southwell, Notts., and denies attempted murder, attempted arson with intent to endanger life, and having a bladed article.
The trial continues.
