A distinguished plastic surgeon has been sentenced to life imprisonment for attempting to murder a fellow consultant in a premeditated attack at his Nottinghamshire home.
Jonathan Peter Brooks, 61, known professionally as Peter Brooks, was ordered to serve a minimum of 22 years behind bars after being found guilty of launching a violent, calculated assault on esteemed surgeon Graeme Perks.
Brooks, who specialised in the treatment of burn-related injuries, broke into Mr Perks’ home in the early hours of 14 January 2021.
Dressed in camouflage and armed with a knife and petrol, he intended to set the property ablaze.
When disturbed by Mr Perks—who had been due to give evidence against him in a professional misconduct case—Brooks stabbed him in the abdomen in a brutal confrontation.
The attack was described as a “murderous expedition” by Mr Justice Pepperall, who presided over the case at Leicester Crown Court, sitting in Loughborough. He condemned Brooks’ crimes as “appalling”.
Brooks was convicted on 7 April following a four-week trial of:
- Two counts of attempted murder
- Attempted arson with intent to endanger life
- Possession of a bladed article
Throughout the trial, Brooks refused to attend proceedings, staging a hunger strike and claiming he would “rather be dead than incarcerated.”
He also declined to attend Monday’s sentencing hearing, opting instead to follow the session via video link from HMP Norwich, citing ill health.
Stephen Leslie KC, defending, said the disgraced surgeon was “too unwell” to be transported to court. However, the court was informed that Brooks had, on at least eight occasions since 2021, engaged in hunger strikes or threatened self-harm in what was seen as an attempt to manipulate proceedings.
Mr Justice Pepperall noted: “This was a cold, calculated act of attempted murder against a highly respected colleague. You set off that night fully intent on causing fatal harm.”
Brooks, formerly of Landseer Road, Southwell, will remain in custody for at least 22 years before being considered for parole.
