Plastic surgeon's £800,000 home where he was 'stabbed and critically injured after disturbing an intruder' was 'also doused in petrol', source says

  • Graeme Perks, 65, was left fighting for his life after being 'knifed in the chest' 
  • Police allegedly found his home doused in petrol, leading to arson suspicions
  • Officers arrested fellow plastic surgeon Jonathon Brooks on Friday 
  • Mr Perks was reportedly Mr Brooks' manager at Nottingham Hospital until 2012  

Police are reportedly investigating whether the top plastic surgeon who was stabbed in his home was attacked after disturbing an arsonist trying to douse his home in petrol.

Graeme Perks, 65, was left fighting for his life after allegedly being knifed in the chest and stomach by an intruder at his detached property in the village of Halam, Nottinghamshire. 

The retired father-of-four remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital following the attack, which happened at around 4am on Thursday.

Police believe the former vicarage was doused in petrol and Mr Perks could have interrupted the arson attack, a source has now revealed.

Officers are examining whether the attacker was trying to harm the entire family, with the surgeon's wife and at least one of his four children asleep in the house at the time, according to The Sun.  

Police are investigating whether top plastic surgeon Graeme Perks, who was stabbed in his home, was attacked after disturbing an arsonist

Police are investigating whether top plastic surgeon Graeme Perks, who was stabbed in his home, was attacked after disturbing an arsonist

Jonathan Brooks (pictured) has been arrested after the attack
Graeme Perks remains in hospital after being stabbed on Thursday

The man arrested on suspicion of stabbing Mr Perks (right) in his home is former £106,000-a-year hospital consultant Jonathan Brooks (left)

A source said: 'There's clearly only one reason why whoever broke into the property would have taken petrol with them.

'It sounds like Graeme has been incredibly heroic.'

Police have not commented about the petrol but are continuing to question Jonathon Brooks, a former colleague of Mr Perks and plastic surgeon, who was arrested on Friday over the attack.

Mr Perks was reportedly Mr Brooks' line manager at Nottingham City Hospital, where they worked together until 2012.

Forensic officers could on Friday be seen searching Mr Brooks' £600,000 five-bedroomed detached house in Southwell, Nottinghamshire. 

One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: 'Jon has been nothing but a good neighbour, he seems a lovely man.'

Mr Brooks remains in custody being quizzed by officers. 

Residents of the Perks family, who live in an £800,000 former vicarage on the edge of the affluent village of Halam, said they had been left 'stunned' by the attack. 

Mr Perks, 65, was left fighting for his life after allegedly being knifed in the chest and stomach by an intruder at his detached property in the village of Halam, Nottinghamshire

Mr Perks, 65, was left fighting for his life after allegedly being knifed in the chest and stomach by an intruder at his detached property in the village of Halam, Nottinghamshire 

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, added: 'Everybody is hoping he will be okay, we are all stunned and still in complete shock.

'We have never had any trouble around here, so for this to happen on your doorstep is very frightening. 

'Your heart goes out to the family. They are well known in the community and host parties in the garden in the summer. They are pillars of the community really.' 

Nottinghamshire Police said Mr Perks went to investigate the sound of breaking glass in the early hours before allegedly being stabbed by the intruder who then ran off.

Mr Perks, who has lived in the village for 30 years with his wife Beverley, suffered serious injuries and was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre for surgery.

Sales director Graham Podmore, 51, said the victim was a 'lovely person' and 'well respected surgeon.'

He said: 'He's a really nice guy, who has a really lovely family.

'He is a well respected surgeon. He and Beverley have four grown up children.

'We just to speak as I walked the dog past the house.

Forensic officers could on Friday be seen searching Mr Brooks' £600,000 five-bedroomed detached house on Landseer Road, in Southwell, Nottinghamshire

Forensic officers could on Friday be seen searching Mr Brooks' £600,000 five-bedroomed detached house on Landseer Road, in Southwell, Nottinghamshire

Four officers were seen wearing masks as they walked outside Mr Brooks's home

Another officer was seen in a forensic suit and mask as she went into Mr Brooks's home

Another officer was seen in a forensic suit and mask as she went into Mr Brooks's home

'I'm very, very shocked. The first I heard of it was on the news. We don't know what happened or who did it.

'It's the last thing you expect to happen to him and be going on here. Obviously he did have enemies but whoever did this to him is the exception not the rule.'

Mr Podmore said his neighbour's main interests were gardening and charity.

He added: 'Graeme used to open his garden every summer and raise lots of money for charity.'

Residents of the Perks family said they had been left 'stunned' by the attack 

Mr Perks was one of Britain's top breast-augmentation surgeons before he retired from a 25-year career as a plastic surgery consultant last November.

He was head of the hospital's department of plastic, reconstructive and burns surgery, and led the breast-augmentation industry group BAPRAS from 2013 to 2014.

BAPRAS described him as 'one of the most highly regarded and respected surgeons in the profession'.

Current president Ruth Waters told the BBC they had been contacted by colleagues all around the world sending their best wishes. 

She said: 'All have expressed their shock at what has happened and also their deep concern for his wellbeing and their hope for his speedy recovery. 

'It has been my good fortune and honour to know Graeme for many years. 

'I have benefited from his kindness, generosity and extensive knowledge throughout my career in plastic surgery.' 

Detective Inspector Gayle Hart said: 'This is a horrific incident which has left a man fighting for his life and his family — who were upstairs at the time — are extremely shocked and upset.

'Detectives are working hard to establish the circumstances and progress as quickly as possible.' 

Mr Perks, who has lived in the village for 30 years with his wife Beverley, suffered serious injuries and was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre for surgery

Mr Perks, who has lived in the village for 30 years with his wife Beverley, suffered serious injuries and was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre for surgery 

'The victim is in the intensive care unit and is currently in a serious but stable condition.

'We're continuing to make enquiries and are not ruling anything out so we would welcome speaking to anyone who may have information which would help with our enquiries, or who may have been a witness.' 

Current BAPRAS president Ruth Waters told the BBC they had been contacted by colleagues all around the world sending their best wishes.

She said: 'All have expressed their shock at what has happened and also their deep concern for his wellbeing and their hope for his speedy recovery.

'It has been my good fortune and honour to know Graeme for many years. I have benefited from his kindness, generosity and extensive knowledge throughout my career in plastic surgery.'

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident number 44 of January 14, 2021, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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