D-Day Veteran Attacked On His Doorstep With Hammer

A man has been arrested following a suspected claw hammer attack on a D-Day veteran in his home, police said.

Jim Booth, 96, answered a call at the door of his home in Gipsy Lane in Taunton, Somerset, on Wednesday afternoon.

The cold caller asked Mr Booth whether he wanted any work done and attacked the veteran when he refused.

It is believed that a claw hammer was used to attack Mr Booth, who suffered serious injuries to his head and body.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said Mr Booth, who was taken to hospital after the attack, is in a "serious but stable" condition. Detective Chief Inspector James Riccio said:

"We've made an arrest following investigative work carried out since the attack on Wednesday.

"We've updated Mr Booth's family and will continue to support them.

He previously described it as "a vicious and sickening attack on an elderly man":

"It's hard to imagine how anyone could attack a 96-year-old man in his own home."

Mr Booth managed to raise the alarm with a neighbour before being taken to hospital, where his condition was described as "potentially life-threatening".

Police cordoned off the scene and carried out house-to-house inquiries, with a dog unit involved during initial searches.

Cover picture courtesy of SWNS.