Man arrested over Newcastle veteran’s death

May 16 2008 by Graeme Whitfield, The Journal

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a former Army captain who was found battered and bleeding in his own home, police said today.

Harry Lindley, 89, was found by his carer lying in a pool of blood on April 16 and died in hospital on Tuesday night.

Michael Stephenson, 20, who has been charged with robbery and assault in connection with the incident, was re-arrested yesterday on suspicion of murder, Northumbria Police said.

Mr Lindley was a retired captain in the Green Howards regiment who had served in India, Africa and Egypt.

He had been recovering from the effects of a stroke at his bungalow in Walker Grove, Newcastle, where he had lived alone since the death of his wife Evelyn in 2004.

Police believe Mr Lindley, a great-grandfather, lay overnight following an incident at his home.

His carer left him at teatime after preparing his evening meal for him. Hours later it is thought he answered a knock on his door and was attacked.

The female carer found him crying out and covered in blood when she went to his home the following morning shortly after 10am.

He was taken to intensive care and put on a life support machine at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary but after 26 days lost his fight for life, police said.

During the incident Mr Lindley allegedly had his wallet, cash, and bank card stolen.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: ``The man charged in connection with the incident in Mr Lindley’s home was re-arrested on suspicion of murder.”

She said Stephenson, of Westbury Avenue, Walker, was technically bailed in relation to his latest arrest, pending further inquiries, but he remained in custody charged with robbery and assault.

She added: ``A post mortem carried out yesterday was inconclusive and further tests will be carried out. This is expected to take up to six weeks.”

Detectives are appealing for information from anyone who may have been targeted at their home address by a youth asking for money since the beginning of April.

Mr Lindley had, despite his stroke, kept active with the support of family and friends.

When he returned to civilian life he opened a plumbers’ merchants in Gosforth, and worked till the age of 70.

On retirement, he left the UK for Spain where he lived for ten years.

He returned when his wife fell into poor health and cared for her until she died four years ago.

Shortly after that he suffered a stroke which left him with impaired speech and meant he walked with a stick, but he remained independent.

Mr Lindley was a father of two, a grandfather of seven and had several great grandchildren.