Ex Royal Marine turned Paralympic athlete after devastating bout of ‘Helmand Fever’ set for £8million payout from MoD

A FORMER Royal Marine devastated by a rare fever since returning from a combat in Afghanistan is in line for up to £8 million compensation.

Today a High Court judge blasted the Ministry of Defence for delays that increased the suffering of 34-year-old Phillip Eaglesham.

The paralympian was a corporal in the Royal Marines when he contracted Q fever - also known as "Helmand Fever" - in October 2010, falling ill on his way home.

This year he represented Ireland in shooting during the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The virulent illness, which in extreme cases causes irreparable damage to vital organs, is picked up by exposure to bacteria from animals.

The 34-year-old was flown home to the UK via a medical "decompression" base in Cyprus, London's High Court heard.

But the illness took a heavy toll after his return to England, resulting in symptoms of complete exhaustion.

Mr Eaglesham, originally from Dungannon, Northern Ireland, described how the ill-effects left him so powerless he could scarcely pick up his youngest child.

The dad-of-three, now living in Plymouth, said he was "so weak he can barely move"- to the point where even brushing his teeth was "shattering".

His QC, Theo Huckle QC, told the court his exposure to the disease had led to chronic fatigue syndrome, also resulting in "severe depression".

Mr Eaglesham sued the Ministry of Defence for alleged negligence in his medical treatment and was today handed outright victory by Mrs Justice Andrews.

In a damning decision, the judge said she was "unimpressed by the litany of excuses" put forward by the MoD for delays that had blighted the case.

The MoD's failure to comply with court orders requiring prompt disclosure of evidence was "substantial and serious".

Although she accepted that the orders had not been "deliberately flouted", she went on to strike out the MoD's defence to the claim.

"The consequence is that judgment will be entered (in Mr Eaglesham's favour) on liability, with damages to be assessed", she ruled.

The judge said Mr Eaglesham had a "poor prognosis" and his claim had been valued by his lawyers at "in the order of £6-8 million".

Mr Huckle earlier claimed the MoD was to blame in failing to treat him with antibiotic, Doxycycline, either during his tour of duty, or after he fell ill.

The MoD, he said, "failed to be prepared for and prevent Q fever infection of service personnel in Afghanistan."

The court heard there are "a number" of other Q fever cases against the MoD in the legal pipeline.

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