Man remanded over Newcastle army captain's murder

Jul 4 2008 By Paul James

A man was remanded in custody today charged with the murder of a former Army captain who was found battered and bleeding in his Newcastle home.

Harry Lindley, 89, was found by his carer lying in a pool of blood in his home on April 16 and died in hospital almost a month later.

Michael Stephenson, 20, of Westbury Avenue, Walker, Newcastle, faced the city’s magistrates accused of the pensioner’s murder.

The defendant, who was accompanied by two security guards, spoke only to confirm his name, age and address during the brief five-minute hearing.

No application for bail was made and Stephenson was remanded in custody to appear before Newcastle Crown Court on July 7.

He was already in custody charged with robbery and assault in connection with the incident

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, Walker, 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.

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.

During the incident Mr Lindley, a father-of-two and a grandfather-of-seven who had several great grandchildren, allegedly had his wallet, cash and bank card stolen.