Blind Second World War veteran fights to go home to die

A blind 97-year-old Second World War veteran who wants to leave a care facility and end his life at home has lost the opening skirmish of a High Court battle.

The widower, a former Royal Navy gunner who served in the Italian and North African theatres during the 1940s, said he is strong enough to look after himself at home and will get help from a relative. He has told a High Court judge that he is a war veteran who deserves “some respect at my age”.

Council social services bosses think he should be allowed to return to the home he began living in nearly 50 years ago.

They have concerns about his safety but said he is mentally capable of making his own decisions and feel that, on balance, a return home would be in his best interests.

But Mr Justice Hayden has ruled against the idea, for now.

The judge, who heard the pensioner had a number of health problems, has raised concerns about the state of his home and the day-to-day care he would receive at home.

Butthejudge,whohasexamined evidence at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London, said he will review the case in the near future and wants social services bosses to examine more care options.

The pensioner was not at the hearing but spoke to the judge via a telephone link.

Mr Justice Hayden said it had been a “privilege” and “pleasure” to speak to him.

“I am a veteran and I am due the respect of a veteran who wants to end his life in his home,” the pensioner said. “I did six years in the Navy during the war. I think I deserve some respect at my age.”

He added: “I still have my senses. I know what I am doing. I am strong enough to look after myself.”

A barrister representing council social services bosses said the pensioner had been moved to a care facility a few months ago.

Katie Scott said he been found at home partially naked, had no mattress on his bed, and did not appear to have eaten for some days. She said there were also concerns about the hot water supply.

The judge said he could not agree to a 97-year-old person living in that state.

He said: “I know he is very eager to go home, and I don’t discount the possibility that that may ultimately be my decision. But I know at the moment, and in the present circumstances, it would be entirely wrong.”