Judge slams plan to put war veteran on refugee barge

Sick Beka forced to kip on streets

- MATTHEW DRESCH

A JUDGE has blasted a bid to put a sick war veteran on the Bibby Stockholm barge being used to house asylum seekers.

Beka Gatserelia, 35, suffers from a leg wound, PTSD and suicidal thoughts after fighting in the 2008 Georgia war.

He was living in a hotel for asylum seekers in Bristol when officials told him to leave for the barge anchored off Portland, Dorset, last October.

The order came despite his pleas to stay in the city was where he receiving medical attention.

Beka appealed, listing his medical problems including a bullet in his thigh and enclosing NHS documents.