Brooks refused to leave cell for sentencing after cycling through snow in camouflage to launch petrol and knife attack on retired doctor
A plastic surgeon who launched a “murderous expedition” against a colleague who gave evidence against him in disciplinary proceedings has been jailed for life with a minimum of 22 years.
Peter Brooks, 61, cycled through the snow in camouflage gear during a Covid lockdown to attack Graeme Perks at his family home – armed with petrol, matches, a crowbar and a knife.
The respected NHS surgeon doused the ground floor with fuel before stabbing his victim in a frenzied attack that left Mr Perks with a 95% chance of death.
COWARD IN THE CELLS
In a final act of cowardice, Brooks REFUSED to leave his prison cell for Monday’s sentencing at Leicester Crown Court, listening instead via video link from HMP Nottingham.
Judge Mr Justice Pepperall branded his crimes “appalling” as he handed down the life sentence, telling the empty dock:
You set off from your home on a murderous expedition.
With time already served, Brooks will serve a minimum of 17 years and 223 days before being eligible for parole.
THE NIGHT OF TERROR
The chilling details of the attack on January 14, 2021, sent shockwaves through the medical community:
2AM: Brooks cycles from Southwell to victim’s home in Halam, Nottinghamshire ARMED WITH: Two containers of petrol, crowbar, matches, knife DRESSED IN: Full camouflage clothing and balaclava BREAKS IN: Smashes through conservatory while family sleeps upstairs
The court heard Brooks poured petrol throughout the ground floor and even UP THE STAIRS where Mr Perks’ wife Bev and youngest son Henry were sleeping.
‘FEET FELT DAMP’
Retired surgeon Graeme Perks, 65, woke to the sound of breaking glass and went downstairs to investigate.
In harrowing testimony, he recalled:
- His feet feeling “a bit damp” from the petrol
- Seeing a figure he initially thought was his son “having a mental breakdown
- Being blinded by the attacker’s head torch
- Feeling a “blow to his body” as Brooks stabbed him
I put my hands to the area where I felt it and it was warm and sticky, and I thought I felt something poking out from my abdomen,” Mr Perks told the court.
95% CHANCE OF DEATH
The savage attack left Mr Perks with catastrophic injuries:
- Damage to liver, intestines and pancreas
- Wounds “way up in the most serious category”
- Eight days in intensive care
- Three weeks in hospital
- Given just 5% chance of survival
A consultant surgeon who operated on him said most patients with such injuries would not have survived.
WORKPLACE VENDETTA
The motive? Pure hatred born from a workplace dispute.
Prosecutor Tracy Ayling KC told the jury it was “clear that the defendant hated Graeme Perks” and wanted him “out of the way.
Mr Perks had provided evidence in disciplinary proceedings against Brooks at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, where both worked as plastic surgeons.
Brooks faced potentially losing his job – and decided attempted murder was his solution.
FOUND IN A GARDEN
After the attack, Brooks cycled home and was later discovered:
- Asleep on a garden bench
- Having taken an overdose
- With injuries to his hand
- Arrested and taken to hospital
FOUR YEARS OF CHAOS
The path to justice was extraordinary, with Brooks using every trick to avoid facing trial:
HUNGER STRIKES: Went on hunger strike claiming unfair trial SACKED LAWYERS: Dismissed his legal teamREFUSED TO ATTEND: “Voluntarily absent” from his own trial HEALTH EXCUSES: Used various ailments to delay proceedings NINE COURT DATES: Prosecution ready each time, Brooks wasn’t
Judge Pepperall ruled the trial should proceed without him, appointing an advocate to cross-examine witnesses on his behalf.
‘RATHER BE DEAD’
In a bizarre twist, Brooks briefly appeared via video link near the end of his trial, declaring:
“If my choice is between incarceration and death, I would rather be dead than incarcerated.”
The jury took 12 hours to find him guilty of:
- Two counts of attempted murder
- Attempted arson with intent to endanger life
- Possession of a knife in public
CPS SLAMS ‘EXTREME VIOLENCE’
Sam Shallow from the Crown Prosecution Service didn’t mince words:
Peter Brooks committed an act of extreme violence, attempting to murder a highly respected colleague. This was a planned, calculated attack, in which Brooks showed he was determined to kill his former colleague.”
He added: “Since committing these atrocious acts, Brooks has sought to evade responsibility. He has requested late adjournments, dispensed with his legal team, and used his health to avoid proper progress of the court proceedings.
THE SENTENCES
Mr Justice Pepperall handed down:
- LIFE IMPRISONMENT with 22-year minimum for attempted murder
- 6 YEARS for attempted arson (concurrent)
- 18 MONTHS for knife possession (concurrent)
A FAMILY’S NIGHTMARE
The attack didn’t just nearly kill Mr Perks – it terrorized his entire family.
His wife and son were sleeping upstairs as Brooks spread petrol up the stairwalls, planning to trap them in an inferno.
Had Brooks succeeded in lighting the fuel, the entire family could have perished.
FROM HEALER TO WOULD-BE KILLER
The case shocked the medical community – two respected surgeons, one turning would-be assassin over a workplace grudge.
Brooks, a specialist in burns and plastics, used his medical knowledge to inflict maximum damage on his colleague.
But Mr Perks’ own medical training may have saved his life, as he immediately recognized he’d been stabbed and needed urgent help.
THE VICTIM’S COURAGE
Despite his horrific injuries, Mr Perks bravely gave evidence at trial, facing questions from a court-appointed advocate since Brooks refused to participate.
Now retired and recovering, he can finally see justice done after four years of legal delays.
THE BOTTOM LINE
A brilliant career in medicine thrown away. A colleague nearly murdered. A family terrorized. All because one surgeon couldn’t accept the consequences of his own workplace failings.
As Brooks begins his lengthy sentence, one question remains: How did a man sworn to heal become consumed with such murderous hatred?
At 61, he’ll be at least 78 before he’s even eligible for parole – his surgical days long behind him, replaced by decades behind bars.
Justice has finally caught up with Peter Brooks. But for Graeme Perks and his family, the scars – both physical and mental – will last a lifetime.
