AN 82-year-old Naval veteran has been told to leave his retirement home because of his son's abusive behaviour. Wheelchair-bound Stanley Hatton no longer has a bed at Pembroke House, Gillingham, after his son Michael lodged a catalogue of complaints and launched a barrage of abuse against nurses.

The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust, which runs the home in Oxford Road, decided to ask the pensioner to leave when he went into Medway Maritime Hospital with a chest infection.

The former chief petty officer will remain in hospital until a new nursing home can be found for him.

Son Michael Hatton, 38, of Rainham, admits that he lost his temper but says his behaviour should not have jeopardised his father's future care. However, Comdr Jeremy Owens, chief executive of the trust, said eviction was the only option as staff remained "scared" of Mr Hatton junior and father and son needed to see one another on a regular basis.

He said: "Stanley Hatton was at Pembroke House for the best part of a year but it got to the stage where we felt unable to provide the care he needs. His son was aggressive, abusive and very unco-operative towards staff, making his father's life a misery.

"We did our best to care for Stanley as long as we could in spite of this, but we had to make this very difficult judgement and do what we felt was right for Stanley."

"Staff had been left on tenterhooks following Michael's behaviour and without seeing his son on a regular basis, Stanley's health was deteriorating.

"It was a convenient time to make the break when he went into hospital. It is not a rip-roaring success story, but if we had left the situation it would have spiralled into a disaster and Stanley would have suffered even more."

Mr Hatton junior said: "My father is being victimised for my behaviour last year. It's an injustice to a sailor of 22 years. Through no fault of his own, he's paying the price for my actions.

"The charity is meant to support people for life but this kind of behaviour is not very charitable. He's totally blameless and could do without the upheaval at his age. He's well enough to leave hospital now, but he is blocking a bed as he has nowhere else to go."