'I shouldn't have been in Taunton': How the horrific assault unfolded

Joseph Isaacs' decision to stay in the county town on November 22, 2017 would change his life forever, as well as those of everyone involved in what was a truly horrendous crime.

He was desperate man who, while giving evidence, repeatedly told the jury at Taunton Crown Court that he was 'having a nervous breakdown' in the period surrounding the events on that fateful day...

Starving, having not eaten for four days, some time between 4pm and 5pm, Isaacs turned up on the doorstep of Jim Booth and rang the bell.

He had a claw hammer in his hand.

Mr Booth stopped doing his chores, including feeding his two cats, and went to answer it...

During the trial, Isaacs told the court he was shocked when Mr Booth answered, having intended to burgle the home in Gipsy Lane, Taunton.

But what unfolded from that moment was truly, truly shocking.

Isaacs soon turned to violence when his ruse of being a builder in search of work was rebutted by the stoic 96-year-old.

'Money, money, money.'

He repeated the phrase again and again, even after he started beating the Royal Navy veteran around the head...

Isaacs didn't find any cash in the house, instead making off with a bank card and a cheque.

But he left behind a horrific scene.

Isaacs is arrested in Congresbury
 

During the trial Martin Horton, a consultant advanced clinical practitioner in emergency medicine at Musgrove Park Hospital, said he warned Mr Booth's family to 'expect the worst' due to the severity of his injuries.

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

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.

"I had grave concerns regarding his recovery," Mr Horton added. "He appeared to me as a frail gentleman with significant injuries, with a brain injury and significant skull depressions.

"I raised those concerns with his daughters and prepared them for ... the worst."

Despite his injuries Mr Booth, who was on his living room covered in his own blood when he regained consciousness, managed to crawl and stumble his way to a neighbour's house, which is when the alarm was raised.  
 

In yet another show of staggering bravery, special forces veteran Mr Booth spoke to police just two days after the horrific attack.

His recollection of the incident, while sketchy, gave a blood-curdling insight into the horror he endured.

"I just moved back, but he was running after me, hitting me all the time," he said, adding: "I remember lying down, thinking, 'Oh, my God, I'm dying' or something like that."

The same day, homeless Isaacs was arrested in Congresbury.

Data showed he had used Mr Booth's bank card several times in Bridgwater and Burnham-on-Sea.

He told the court he had been living in his car at the time and jurors heard he had been reported missing by his mother eight days before the attack.

Isaacs used Mr Booth's card in the days after the attack

Handcuffed while giving evidence in Taunton, the 40-year-old said he had gone "for a little ride" after breaking up with his partner and "had a little breakdown".

He slept in his car, filling his days with sleep, or walking around parks.

"I was feeling terrible ... all over the place," he said.

It was then he made the decision that would change everything.

"I shouldn't have been in Taunton - I should have gone back to my mum's and got help," he said.

"If there had been nobody at home, I'd have knocked the door in and got some money."

He couldn't remember many of the details of the incident - including how many times he hit the 96-year-old.

Isaacs 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.

He apologised in court to Mr Booth, who has not attended the trial, but said he knew his victim was not going to die after the incident, hence he denied the charge of attempted murder.

"I should have gone back to my family. I let myself down, I let my family down."

Isaacs' actions that day could have ruined many lives and he now has years to reflect on what happened.

He was right, he should never have been in Taunton...