Cerebral palsy man attacked

Joan Powell with her son Alan

A man with cerebral palsy has been left too frightened to leave his home after being attacked by four youths.

Alan Powell, 32, was kicked by a girl and four boys aged between 11 and 14 as he went to buy tissues at his local shop.

A friend of Mr Powell's, who did not wish to be named, said local youths in Hartlepool regularly picked on people with disabilities.

She added: "I keep saying to Alan, they are the ones with the problem, not you.

"They first asked him for cigarettes and he refused because he does not smoke.

Mr Powell is too frightened to go out

"They then told him to give them his money, and then took it upon themselves to kick him in the back as he tried to get away.

"Whenever he leaves the house he gets abuse of some kind, whether his support worker is with him or not."

Mr Powell, described by his friends as having "a heart of gold", was kicked four times as he rode in his electric wheelchair at 2100BST on Sunday.

The attack has left him shaken and frightened to leave his home in the Raby Gardens area of the town.

He used to enjoy trips to the shops, pub and bookmaker, but will not now go out unaccompanied.

The friend added: "He was always able to lead his own life and they have taken away his right to do what he wants."