Plymouth Marine wins landmark case over illness contracted in Afghanistan

A Royal Marine from Plymouth who contracted a disabling infection on his way back from Afghanistan has won his damages battle against the Ministry of Defence.

Philip Eaglesham became very ill with Q fever in October 2010 when he was coming home after a period of service as a corporal with 40 Commando.

He says he should have been given the right antibiotics as aand that the failure to do so was a breach of the MoD's duty ofcare.

The 35 year old now has very serious chronic fatigue syndromewhich is a well-known consequence of Q fever.

He uses a wheelchair and competed in target shooting for Ireland at theParalympics in Rio.

In July this year, the High Court ordered the MoD to comply with an order for disclosure of certain documents by October 21 or its defence would be struck out.

On Thursday, Mrs Justice Andrews refused to grant the MoD an extension of time to comply.

The MoD said the delay was caused by the number and sensitivity of furtherdocuments found, technical problems and constraints on resources.

Damages - which the judge said were estimated to be in the order of six to eight million pounds - will be assessed at a further hearing.

"In October 2010, Helmand Province, Afghanistan my life changed forever," Philip explains.

The resultant physical and emotional devastation led him to consider taking his life three times so that he would no longer be a burden to his wife and three sons

But he is now working on something which has given him a new purpose in life. He has invented a special wheelchair which can bring disabled people back to a "social height." Philip says his invention will mean he can kiss his wife while standing up.

The wheelchair, called Victor, is still in the development stage and next week he will launch a crowdfunding campaign to raise the £600,000 needed to build two prototypes.

Our reporter, David Woodland, went to meet Philip Eaglesham and his wife: