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Leading plastic surgeon in hospital as former colleague is arrested

Graeme Perks was in a serious but stable condition in hospital following the attack
Graeme Perks was in a serious but stable condition in hospital following the attack

A man arrested on suspicion of stabbing a top plastic surgeon in his own home is a former hospital consultant and colleague, it has emerged

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

Mr Perks was one of the country’s leading plastic surgeons and used to head up the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS).

The retired father-of-four remained in a serious but stable condition in hospital following the attack which occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning.

It is understood that a 55-year-old man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder is a medical professional and former colleague.

Forensic officers spent yesterday searching the suspect's detached home in Nottinghamshire, while neighbours of Mr Perks expressed their shock at the attack.

One resident of the affluent village said: "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 had gone to investigate the sound of breaking glass at around 4am on Thursday morning and was then attacked by an intruder who ran off.

He suffered serious injuries and was rushed to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham for emergency surgery.

Police said they had made a swift arrest and hoped that would provide some reassurance to the local community.

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 by the ordeal.

"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.”