Jury retires to consider verdict in Southwell plastic surgeon Dr Peter Brooks’ attempted murder trial

The jury has retired to consider the verdict in a surgeon’s attempted murder trial.

Judge The Honourable Mr Justice Pepperall has this morning (April 2) completed his summing up of the evidence and sent the jury out to consider their verdict in the trial of Dr Peter Brooks, formerly of Landseer Road, Southwell.

Brooks is accused of two counts of attempted murder — by stabbing and arson — against his Nottingham University Hospitals colleague, consultant Mr Graeme Perks, following an incident at Mr Perks’ Halam Hill home on January 14, 2021.

He faces additional charges of attempted arson with intent to endanger life, and possession of a bladed article.

Mr Brooks is not in attendance, and has chosen not to be represented by a lawyer at his trial, nor deliver any evidence for the defence.

Mr Perks suffered a serious stab wound at his home during the incident, which the court previously heard left him with just a 5% chance of survival.

The prosecution suggest Brooks cycled from his Southwell home on January 14, leaving at around 2.55am, to Mr Perks’ Halam home, armed with a knife, crowbar, cannisters of fuel, a lighter, and matches, with the intent to kill Mr Perks’ — who he wanted “out the way” due to his involvement in disciplinary procedures Dr Brooks had been subject to at his work.

A self-defence argument had been suggested relating to the stabbing, by Brooks’ court appointed advocate during the cross examination of Mr Perks. Advocate Mr Leslie KC suggested Mr Perks had wielded the crowbar.

The court has heard evidence from forensic experts, crime scene investigators, police officers, and medical professionals throughout the trial, which began on March 10.

Judge Pepperall described it as a “serious case” and emphasised that the jury had no pressure of time to reach their verdict.