Bogus builder is jailed for 20 years for hammer attack on D-day veteran

AN ILLITERATE bogus builder who shouted “money money money” as he repeatedly hit a 96-year-old D-day veteran over the head with a claw hammer has been jailed for 20 years after being found guilty of attempted murder.

Joseph Isaacs, 40, launched the vicious assault on Jim Booth at the older man’s home in Taunton, Somerset, when he became enraged after having his offer of cheap building work turned down.

Royal Navy veteran Mr Booth, who played a key part in the success of the D-day landings, tried to escape by retreating into his house but was pursued by Isaacs, who hit him repeatedly with the shiny new claw hammer.

Isaacs, of no fixed address, denied intending to kill Mr Booth, claiming instead that he had gone to the house to get money for food.

But Isaacs was found guilty of attempted murder by a jury of seven women and five men after less than two hours of deliberation.

He had already admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent, aggravated burglary and six allegations of fraud in relation to the attack at an earlier hearing.

Great-grandfather Mr Booth was left with multiple skull fractures and cuts to his head, hands and arms in November last year.

Judge David Ticehurst told Isaacs: “It was a brutal and utterly senseless attack on him.”

He also said Isaacs met the criteria for the extended sentence as he showed an “apparent lack of remorse or concern” for attacking Mr Booth for a “paltry” amount of money.