A PLASTIC surgeon has been found guilty of trying to kill a rival colleague after breaking into his home in camo gear and stabbing him.
Peter Brooks launched into the savage attack at Graeme Perks’ home in Halam, Nottinghamshire, on January 14, 2021.
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The 61-year-old has now been found guilty of two counts of attempted murder and attempted arson with intent to endanger life.
Loughborough Crown Court heard Brooks, who is a consultant surgeon with a specialisation in burns and plastics, “hated” Mr Perks.
He had been the subject of disciplinary proceedings before the horror, with statements from Mr Perks forming part of the evidence.
Jurors were told the wannabe killer was “clearly frustrated” by the hearings and wanted his colleague “out of the way”.
On the morning of the horror, he cycled to his Mr Perks’ home dressed in a full camouflage jacket, trousers and hat armed with a crowbar, cans of petrol, matches and a knife.
Prosecutor Tracy Ayling KC said: “His intention was, say the Crown, to break into Mr Perks’s house, set fire to it and if necessary, stab Mr Perks.
“In short, he intended to kill Mr Perks by either or both those means.”
Brooks broke in through a conservatory and spread flammable liquid on the floor in a bid to burn the house down.
Mr Perks, believing his son had popped over, went to investigate a “loud bang” when he was confronted by the attempted killer.
Brooks then stabbed him in the abdomen and “made his escape” before Mr Perks was discovered injured by his wife and son.
He was rushed to hospital where he underwent three operations and was placed in a medically-induced coma.
Mr Perks suffered knife wounds to his liver and pancreas but miraculously survived.
During his statement to police, he told how was woken up by the bang so went downstairs and saw a figure lurking outside.
The dad-of-four believed it was his son Henry “having a breakdown” so he approached him.
Mr Perks recalled: “Nothing was said, and the next thing I remember was feeling a blow to my body.
“I put my hands to the area where I felt it, [and] it was wet and sticky.
“I thought I felt something poking out from my abdomen.”
Police arrived at the home to find broken glass around the conservatory door and “a strong smell of petrol”.
Brooks meanwhile was discovered sleeping on a bench outside someone’s home around four hours after the alarm was raised.
His wife had reported him missing after she “reported finding an amount of blood in their garage”.
He was treated for hypothermia and injuries to his right hand before being arrested.
Brooks, 61, denied two counts of attempted murder, one count of attempted arson with intent to endanger life, and one count of possession of a bladed article.
He has been remanded into custody ahead of sentencing.
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