A MAN tried to kill a 96-year-old D Day veteran by repeatedly hitting him over the head with a claw hammer, a court has heard.

The trial started this morning (Monday) of Joseph Isaacs, 40, of no fixed address, who denies attempting to murder Jim Booth at his home in Gypsy Lane, Taunton, on November 22 last year.

Mr Booth answered a ring on his doorbell and was confronted by Isaacs, who offered to repair a roof tile for a good price, prosecutor Rachel Drake told the jury at Taunton Crown Court.

It was claimed that after Mr Booth said: No thanks" because a friend had already offered to do the work, Isaacs moved closer towards his victim, who moved backwards into his home.

Miss Drake said: "The defendant was yelling, 'Money, money, money' and rushing at him (Mr Booth)."

She added that Isaacs was "slashing away" at Mr Booth with a claw hammer and that the latter moved quickly into his living room, where he fell, thinking: "My God, I'm dead".

Mr Booth later told police he was surprised when he saw the hammer because it was "shiny and new" and did not look as though it had been used by a workman.

Unable to find his mobile, Mr Booth struggled outside with "his head and his hands covered in blood" and a neighbour alerted the emergency services.

Miss Drake told the court: "He was conscious but had lost a significant amount of blood from a number of wounds."

Mr Booth, who was rushed to Musgrove Park Hospital, had several injuries, including five separate head wounds, a number of underlying skull fractures and blood on his brain, a fractured hand and defensive arm bruises. Doctors at the time considered the injuries "life threatening".

Miss Drake said Mr Booth's wallet was missing from his home and his bank card was used at Sedgemoor Services, in Bridgwater and in Burnham-on-Sea.

Isaccs was stopped by police in a car on the A370 at Congresbury at 8.30am two days after the attack, when a cheque written to Mr Booth by his daughter was found in the footwell.

He told officers: "I'm not saying anything until I've spoken to my lawyer. This is a joke."

He replied "No comment" to all questions during police interview.

Earlier in court, Judge David Ticehurst told the jury that Isaccs had previously pleaded guilty to "certain other charges" and that the facts of the case are "not in dispute".

Isaccs appeared in court via videolink from Long Lartin Prison, in Worcestershire.

He is due to appear before the court in person later this week to give evidence.

Isaacs is defended by Edd Hetherington.

The trial continues this afternoon.