20-year-old charged with murder of former Army captain

11:17pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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A MAN has been charged with the murder of former Army captain Harry Lindley.

The 89-year-old widower was found lying in a pool of blood at his bungalow in Walker Grove, Newcastle, on April 16.

He had been recovering from the effects of a stroke and it is thought the great-grandfather lay overnight following an incident at his home.

Police said Michael Stephenson, 20, of Westbury Avenue, Walker, was charged with his murder this morning and has been questioned by officers throughout the day.

Tonight he was granted technical bail, pending further inquiries - but remains in custody on charges of robbery and assault.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said results of a post mortem carried out on the body of Mr Lindley had proved inconclusive and that further tests would now be undertaken, which could take up to six weeks.

Mr Lindley, who served with the Green Howards in India, Africa and Egypt, was taken to intensive care and put on a life support machine at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary. He died 26 days later.