Man charged after Captain Harry dies

May 17 2008 by Michael Wood, The Journal

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

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 on Thursday 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 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. Hours later it is thought he answered a knock on his door and was attacked.

The female carer found him distressed and covered in blood when she called the following morning shortly after 10.

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.

Northumbria Police said a man had been charged in connection with the incident at Mr Lindley’s home.