An Ingleby Barwick GP is set to go on trial after allegedly poisoning his mother’s partner and making and using the chemical weapon ricin.

Dr Thomas Kwan, 52, of Brading Court, is charged with the attempted murder of Patrick O’Hara, who is in his 70s, in Newcastle on January 22.

The married father-of-one - who will go on trial at Newcastle Crown Court today (Wednesday, October 2) - is also charged with production of a chemical weapon between January 1 and January 22 this year.

Emergency services at the property in Ingleby BarwickEmergency services at the property in Ingleby Barwick (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)

Hong Kong-born Kwan, who is Sunderland-based GP, is also charged with using a chemical weapon, ricin, on January 22.

O'Hara was rendered seriously ill following the alleged incident on January 22, with police at the time confirming he remained in a serious but stable condition in hospital. 

As previously reported, Dr Kwan's arrest in February sparked a large-scale investigation at his Ingleby Barwick home, a large detached property on Brading Court. 

Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. Get access for 1 month for just £1. Click here.

Emergency services were spotted wearing specialist protective equipment at the scene, with several investigation tents being erected in the property's garden.

Teams were at the address for several days.

Police have previously confirmed that the alleged victim was not one of Dr Kwan’s patients, at the Happy House Surgery, in Sunderland, and that the alleged crime took place in the Newcastle area.