"I think no-body expected me to survive, and now that I have, they are not too sure of what to do with me."

He is currently living in the, empty, house of a friend in Worthing, unable to get to the shops, the hospital or doctors appointments, while he waits for Arun District Council to offer him a flat in his home town of Littlehampton.

John, 37, suffered major burns to almost all of his body, and lost both of his lower legs, as well as part of his hand, in the attack in October.

"I need to go to court in three weeks, and I am going, even if I have to sit on the floor because they haven't sorted me out a wheelchair."

John was released from the Sussex Rehabilitation Centre, based at Southlands Hospital one month ago, after stints at a string of hospitals, following the horrific attack, at his home in Pier Road.

Since then, he has been given two wheelchairs, one for indoor use and one for outdoors, by the hospital.

"The indoor one is electric, which is fine, but the outdoor one you have to wheel along — how am I supposed to use that without a hand?"

Friend Charlie Vaughan, who has been helping John since his release
from hospital, said the electric chair was not designed to be use outdoors.

"It can't go up and down kerbs, so there is always the risk of it toppling over when he is out and about. Also, the seat is not waterproof."

After speaking to South Downs Health Trust, which operates the unit at Southlands Hospital, Mr Maynard was told that he would need to wait until he had permanent accommodation, before an assessment could be carried out, and a wheelchair presented.

"But I don't know when that is going to be. The court case is in three weeks, I have meetings with barristers and the police before that, but I can't get out."

A spokesman for Arun District Council said that a flat, in Littlehampton, was ready for Mr Maynard to move into next week.

As his permanent residence will be in Littlehampton, West Sussex Primary Care Trust would then have responsibly for his wheelchair, and other care needs.

A PCT spokesman said he was very sorry to gear of Mr Maynard's experience.

"It is our understanding that Mr Maynard was assessed and supplied with a two wheelchairs following his stay at the Sussex Rehabilitation Centre. These were arranged via South Downs Health NHS Trust.

"Once he is in his new, permanent accommodation, we will be carrying out an assessment to establish his healthcare needs. We will then work together with our partners to ensure that he is supported and his health needs are addressed."


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