Jim Booth's family 'prepared for the worst' after attack by Joseph Isaacs

Jim Booth, of Gipsy Lane, Taunton, is now recovering from the incident at his home on November 22 last year.

Joseph Isaacs, 40, of no fixed address, is standing trial at Taunton Crown Court this week accused of attempted murder.

Isaacs has been watching proceedings via video link from Long Lartin Prison, in Worcestershire, but is due in the court tomorrow (Wednesday).

Joseph Isaacs, who denies attempted murder.

He previously pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent; aggravated burglary; and seven counts of fraud for using or trying to use a bank card stolen from Mr Booth.

Martin Horton, a consultant advanced clinical practitioner in emergency medicine at Musgrove Park Hospital, today outlined the extent of Mr Booth's injuries after he was attacked by Isaacs with a claw hammer.

Mr Horton said the victim, who was "distressed and upset" was covered in blood when he arrived at Musgrove.

"I was seriously concerned at the wounds to his head," added Mr Horton.

He said a wound to his head showed a "significant depression suggesting very likely fractures to the skull".

There was bruising around Mr Booth's eye socket and to his right arm and hand, which was swollen, tender and open to the bone, while there was a skin flap on his left forearm.

Mr Horton said: "I had grave concerns regarding his recovery.

"He appeared to me as a frail gentleman with significant injuries, with a brain injury and significant skull depressions."

Mr Horton added that if Mr Booth picked up an infection it could have proved fatal.

He said: "I raised those concerns with his duaghters and prepared them for potentially the worst."

Dr Carrie Langley, a senior registrar in emergency medicine at Musgrove, took over from Mr Horton later on.

She told the court she identified two depressed skull fractures and a fracture of the little finger of his right hand.

He had deep wounds to his left arm with a lot of bruising and tissue loss and bone, tendon and possibly nerve damage, Dr Langley told the court.

Mr Booth's wounds were stitched and he was put on a course of antibiotics.

Forensic pathologist Dr Russell Delaney told the jury that Mr Booth's injuries were "in keeping with the circular part of a claw hammer".

Referring to Mr Booth's skull fractures, Dr Delaney said: "The force required was severe - it involved multiple blunt force impacts."

He said Mr Booth's arm injuries were "typical of defensive type injuries from putting your hands up to protect your head".

Dr Delaney, under cross examination, agreed that some of Mr Booth's head injuries could possibly have been caused when he fell to the floor in his living room.

Mr Booth's neighbour, Diana Booth, told the court in a written statement how she saw him walking towards her as she walked home on the evening of the attack.

She said: "He said, 'I need to ring 999 for an ambulance. I've been hit on the head and covered in blood'."

She walked him to another neighbour's house, where Mr Booth said: "I've been attacked. Can you ring 999 immediately."

The trial continues tomorrow (Wednesday).