A MAN has appeared in Taunton Crown Court this morning (Friday, December 22) charged with the attempted murder of war hero Jim Booth, 96.

Joseph Isaacs, 39, of no fixed abode, appeared via video link from Long Lartin prison and spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

He has also been charged with aggravated burglary.

Isaacs did not enter a plea and Edward Hetherington, defending Isaacs, said the investigation was still ongoing and his client was due to have a psychiatric evaluation.

Judge David Ticehurst set a further hearing date for February 13, 2018, and Isaacs will be remanded in custody.

Taunton was shocked after war veteran Jim Booth was left with serious injuries after he was reportedly attacked with a claw hammer at his home on Gipsy Lane on Wednesday, November 22.

The 96-year-old man is the last surviving member of a secret Second World War mission.

Jim Booth was part of a crack team which spent five days underwater before the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944.

Camped in a submarine around half a mile underwater, Jim 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.

But war hero Jim was left hospitalised for more than a week following the sickening incident which left him with injuries to his body and head.