A former GP described as "truly evil" by prosecutors has been handed a life sentence for a brutal hammer attack on an 81-year-old patient in her own home.
Thomas Kwan, 64, who once worked as a doctor in Westminster, was found guilty of attempting to murder the vulnerable pensioner after forcing his way into her flat armed with a hammer and knife.
The Horrific Assault
The court heard how Kwan launched a sustained attack on the elderly woman, striking her multiple times with the hammer while she desperately tried to defend herself. The victim suffered catastrophic injuries including multiple skull fractures and brain damage.
Prosecutor Jane Ryan told the Old Bailey: "This was a calculated and brutal attack on a defenseless elderly woman in her own home. The level of violence was extreme and sustained."
Doctor-Patient Relationship Abused
What makes this case particularly disturbing is that Kwan had previously treated the victim as her GP. He exploited this relationship and his medical knowledge to gain access to her Westminster residence.
Detective Inspector Sarah Phillips, who led the investigation, stated: "Kwan completely betrayed the trust placed in him as a medical professional. He used his position to prey on a vulnerable member of the community."
Life Sentence Imposed
Judge Mark Dennis KC sentenced Kwan to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 16 years. In his sentencing remarks, he described the attack as "a gross breach of trust" and "a sustained assault of quite sickening brutality."
The judge added: "You have shown no remorse for your actions and present a significant danger to the public, particularly vulnerable women."
Aftermath and Impact
The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, continues to suffer from the physical and psychological effects of the attack. Her family described how their mother's life has been "irreparably damaged" by the actions of the man she once trusted with her healthcare.
The General Medical Council has since struck Kwan off the medical register, ending his career in medicine permanently.
