Joseph Isaacs gets 20-year sentence for attempted murder of Jim Booth

Isaacs, 40, of no fixed abode, was convicted by a jury after a trial at Taunton Crown Court.

Judge David Ticehurst sentenced him to 16 years behind bars, plus a four-year extension, after the verdict on Friday morning. 

Isaacs attacked Mr Booth, 96, a former D-Day veteran, with a claw hammer at his home in Gipsy Lane, Taunton, on November 22.

READ MORE: FULL VIDEO INTERVIEW: Jim Booth talks about the attack which nearly killed him...

Summing up the case, Judge David Ticehurst told the jury: “There is no doubt Mr Booth was subjected to a vicious attack with a claw hammer by Joseph Isaacs.

"You have heard evidence from a doctor at Musgrove Park Hospital who said he was 'gravely concerned' for Mr Booth after he arrived at hospital.

"The doctor said there was a risk Mr Booth could have died, especially if his wounds had become infected."

Mr Booth was carrying out domestic chores at home when Isaacs appeared at his front door, offering to repair a roof tile for a good price.

He told Isaacs the job was in hand before he edged himself into his bungalow before launching the attack.

Jim Booth and former Prime Minister David Cameron on the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings

Mr Booth told the court: “I just moved back, but he was running after me, hitting me all the time.

"I must have collapsed and fallen on the floor right in the sitting room there.

"I remember lying down, thinking, ‘Oh, my God, I’m dying’ or something like that.”

READ MORE: VIDEO: The moment Joseph Isaacs was arrested for trying to kill Jim Booth

A blood-splattered Mr Booth, who is unsure whether he lost consciousness, made his way to a neighbour’s house, where police were called before he was rushed to Musgrove Park Hospital.

Isaacs, who watched the court proceedings via videolink from Long Lartin Prison, in Worcestershire, denied attempted murder but has previously pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.

Police cordoned off Mr Booth's home following the attack

He has also admitted aggravated burglary and seven counts of fraud for using or trying to use a bank card stolen from Mr Booth.

READ MORE: Joseph Isaacs uses Jim Booth's stolen bank card to buy McDonald's... 

Mr Booth was part of 10-strong crack team who spent five days underwater before the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944.

Camped in a submarine around half a mile underwater, he helped guide Allied landing craft to Sword beach, instead of drifting on to jagged rocks.

He and the team would spy on Nazi troops across the shorelines before shining beacons across the sea to guide Allied forces across the treacherous rocks.