Homeless Joseph Isaacs (court sketch pictured) appeared at Taunton Magistreates’ Court today
A homeless man has appeared in court charged with the attempted murder of a D-Day veteran in a vicious hammer attack on his own doorstep.
Jim Booth, 96, who has been described by his family as an ‘exceptional person’, was taken to hospital in a potentially life-threatening condition on Wednesday.
Joseph Isaacs, of no fixed address, who is also accused of aggravated burglary in relation to the incident, appeared at Taunton Magistrates’ Court.
The court heard in relation to the burglary charge, Isaacs was accused of stealing a NatWest debit card and a Santander cheque and of having a claw hammer with him.
Isaacs, 39, who spoke to confirm his name and date of birth, was remanded in custody to appear at Taunton Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on December 22.
Mr Booth, who was awarded a Croix de Guerre military medal by the French for his gallantry during the Second World War, suffered serious injuries to his head and body during an attack at his home in Taunton.
In a statement released on Saturday through Avon and Somerset Police, his family said Mr Booth was growing ‘a little stronger each day’ and that they were now focusing on the ‘long’ process of his recovery.
Jim Booth, 96, who has been described by his family as an ‘exceptional person’, was taken to hospital in a potentially life-threatening condition on Wednesday
Mr Booth, a Sub Lieutenant, was sole survivor of a 10-man team that spent five days in two mini-submarines, half a mile underwater, guiding Allied landing craft to Sword beach on D-Day
In 2015 Jim danced with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall during the 70th Anniversary commemorations of VJ Day at the Royal British Legion reception in the College Gardens of Westminster Abbey
They said: ‘He is the head of the family, a dearly-loved father to his four children and adored by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, to whom he’s simply known as The Legend.
‘He is, and always has been, our own family hero.’
Mr Booth joined the Royal Navy as a seaman at the age of 18, serving throughout the war and becoming part of the Combined Operations Pilotage Parties (COPP), based on a wartime military base set up on Hayling Island.
On D-Day, he climbed into a fold-up canoe and shone a beacon out to sea to guide Allied craft safely to shore.
The 96-year-old was left with life-threatening injuries to his head and body when he was savagely attacked on the doorstep of his own bungalow (pictured)
Mr Booth and his fleet spied on Nazi troops and shone across the sea to guide Allied forces away from treacherous rocks
In July 2015, Mr Booth laid a wreath beside one placed by the Prince of Wales at a service on Hayling Island to pay tribute to those who served in the COPP.
The following month, he joined Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall at a reception in the grounds of Westminster Abbey.
During the party, which was hosted by the Royal British Legion, Mr Booth took to the floor for a dance with Camilla.
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