Detectives who charged a GP with attempted murder after the suspected poisoning of a man have now arrested a woman in her 30s.

Dr Thomas Kwan has appeared in court accused of trying to kill Patrick O’Hara - understood to be his mother’s 70-year-old husband - in Newcastle on January 22.

The 52-year-old was charged after emergency services wearing hazmat suit recovered ‘unknown substances’ from an address on Brading Court in Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, on Tuesday.

The Northern Echo: Emergency services in hazmat suits on Tuesday evening Emergency services in hazmat suits on Tuesday evening (Image: Terry Blackburn)

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "A woman in her 30s was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

“She has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.”

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Dr Kwan, who is from Hong Kong, and came to the UK as a student, appeared before Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday and has been remanded into custody.

He will appear before Newcastle Crown Court on March 6.

It is understood is Dr Kwan is a married father-of-one and a partner at Happy House Surgery in Thorney Close, Sunderland.

Northumbria Police said the victim is in a 'serious but stable' condition in hospital.

The spokesman said: "We won’t be confirming anything further in terms of his injuries or how they were sustained at this stage."