Relatives of an Aberdeen army veteran who was stabbed and brutally beaten in his own home have spoken of their devastation that he died before seeing his alleged attackers brought to justice.
Frail cancer victim James Clunes was left severely bruised and bleeding when two men allegedly forced their way into his flat at Bayview Court, Aberdeen in June this year.
The former Scots Guards colour sergeant, who had been returning home from bingo, ended his night out with a knife wound and fractured cheekbone in his Seaton flat.
A massive outpouring of public support for the 75-year-old followed his alleged assault and robbery.
Even former Aberdeen Football Club captain Joe Lewis took to Twitter and posted a video message of support for James, a lifelong Dons fan, who sadly died in hospital last Friday.
He passed away during a routine hernia operation due to complications in his lungs, his relatives have confirmed.
‘My brother will never see justice’
His brother Stephen Clunes told The Press and Journal: “My brother will never see justice now”.
He explained: “As a family, we want to see my brother get some kind of justice, although he won’t be here to witness it.
“And not only for my brother but for any other 75-year-olds who want to walk about the streets.
“We’re not giving up on the case because my brother has passed away. We still want these people held to account. One thing is for certain, we will see justice done for him.”
James, a three-time cancer survivor, had been battling tongue, mouth and throat cancer for more than a decade before his death in hospital last week.
Earlier this year, he survived one of the worst ordeals of his life when he suffered horrific injuries allegedly inflicted by two men.
A pair of suspects were charged in connection with the police probe that followed.
They both appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on June 27 and July 7, with proceedings still ongoing.
Support from strangers and Aberdeen FC restored James’s ‘faith in humanity’
In response to news of what allegedly happened to James Clunes, Dons goalkeeper Joe Lewis tweeted a video message, telling James: “Sorry to hear about what you went through recently.
“Just a quick message from everyone at the football club that we’re right behind you, mate, and we hope you’re feeling alright and we look forward to seeing you at Pittodrie soon.”
A GoFundMe page was also launched by fellow Dons fan Stevie Bowie, raising more than £3,700 to support James.
James’ brother Stephen has since spoken of his appreciation for the public support shown to his brother whose confidence had suffered in the wake of the alleged attack.
He said James had bounced back and felt able to leave the house again following the encouragement he was given by strangers.
“My brother was really touched by the generosity of people, especially the Aberdeen FC supporters and his army family,” Stephen said.
“He was touched by that and so were all the family. It helped him get his faith in humanity back, to be honest with you.”
A spokeswoman for Aberdeen FC told the Press and Journal: “Everyone at AFC was very saddened to hear of the passing James, who we know was an ardent Dons fan and a well-known face amongst the Red Army.
“Our thoughts are with all his family and friends at this terribly sad time.”
Two men charged in connection with the alleged attack
Two men have previously appeared in court charged in connection with the alleged attack on the much-loved pensioner in his home at around 10pm on June 25 this year.
One of the men, Miguel Meyler, 28, from the Aberdeen area, appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court in the days following the assault.
He faces charges of hamesucken, abduction, assault to injury, permanent disfigurement and robbery.
At his last court appearance, Meyler made no plea, was committed for further examination and was released on bail to re-appear on a date still to be confirmed.
A second man later appeared in the dock on July 7 this year, Police Scotland has confirmed.
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