Attempted murder suspect, Southwell plastic surgeon Dr Peter Brooks, ‘overdosed on morphine’ after stabbing of former colleague Mr Graeme Perks at his Halam home

A surgeon charged with attempted murder was found with a suspected opiate overdose hours after the stabbing of his former colleague.

The fourth day of the trial of plastic surgeon Dr Peter Brooks, formerly of Landseer Road, Southwell, has concluded, with the jury today (Thursday) hearing how he was found sleeping in a stranger’s garden before being taken to hospital by ambulance and later arrested.

Dr Brooks’ is accused of two counts of attempted murder — by stabbing and arson — against his former Nottingham University Hospitals colleague, consultant Graeme Perks, following an incident at Mr Perks’ Halam Hill home in 2021.

He also faces charges of arson with intent to endanger life and possession of a bladed article. He is not present at the trial and has chosen not to have legal representation.

Hours after Mr Perks was stabbed — at around 4am on January 14, 2021 — a 999 call was received from a Southwell resident, Mr Evans, who had found a stranger asleep on his Westgate garden bench at around 7.25am.

The man, later identified as Dr Brooks, was wearing full camouflage and appeared to be “on something” Mr Evans’ statement explained, as his head was rolling around on his shoulders with his eyes wide. He also had a glove on his right hand, which was bleeding.

Dr Brooks was said to have told Mr Evans he was “not well”, had been walking since 2am, and was going to loose his job as a doctor. He asked Mr Evans not to call the police and crawled out of the garden to a wooded area.

An ambulance was called and arrived at around 8.30am with paramedic Johnathan Webb, who said he found Dr Brooks — his identity at that point unknown — on the wet, muddy ground in the woodland, “making uncoordinated swimming motions”.

He described the defendant as “resisting”, but said it was unclear if this was due to a medical episode or a deliberate act, and extremely cold.

Dr Brooks treated for a suspected opiate overdose as well as hypothermia, as in the rucksack he had with him the paramedic discovered three forms of morphine, including a liquid medication and pills, which did not have a prescription sticker attached and had “enough gone”.

He was then admitted to Kings Mill Hospital, and police were notified of the unidentified patient.

The same day, PC Richards was tasked with arresting Dr Brooks on suspicion of attempted murder, and made the arrest at 12.48pm at the hospital.

Multiple PCs who interacted with the defendant at the hospital described him as answering doctors questions “without hesitation”, but appearing to ignore police.

Dr Brooks was also assessed by a nurse responsible for care in custody, who catalogued a number of lacerations to his right hand — some of which had been closed with steri-strips at the hospital.

The surgeon told the nurse he was suicidal, had overdosed prior to his arrest, and had previously attempted to take his own life six months before but was stopped by police intervention.

He was determined to be at high risk of harm and recommended to be under permanent observation in custody.

The court also heard that Dr Brooks’ home address became a crime scene after his arrest, and blood and other items including matches, and a lighter were confirmed to be present in his garage by crime scene investigators.

The trial continues.