A man says he has become a prisoner in his home after yobs destroyed his mobility scooter.

Justin Kennedy, 34, of Ebbsfleet Walk, Northfleet, had a good job as a manager for Topshop.

However, when his father died in 2014, Mr Kennedy’s health deteriorated.

He also took on additional responsibilities helping to care for his blind brother, and the stress caused him to have a stroke.

He now relies on his scooter to get around day to day.

Last week, Mr Kennedy awoke at 6.30am to find his indoor store within the block of flats had been broken into and his scooter ransacked.

Unable to remove the scooter because of security measures, the perpetrators proceeded to tear it apart; removing the battery, pulling off the seat and ripping the back plastic panel.

Mr Kennedy said: “They’ve clearly tried to steal it but couldn’t.

“Now I’m just expecting them back to have another go.

“It’s made me anxious and nervous.”

At night the area of Ebbsfleet Walk is plunged into darkness and Mr Kennedy believes that is part of the problem.

“The council has turned all the street lights off round here and it’s pitch black.

“A few of my neighbours have been burgled and had windows smashed recently. Vandalism is a problem, and youths use the area to wee and smoke.

“It’s not nice, I need to be back before it’s dark because it does worry me, which doesn’t give me much time to get out on a winter’s day.”

He is now calling on others to be vigilant.

“I want people to be aware, especially other disabled people nearby. Having a strong lock isn’t enough, you need a shed alarm and an anchor.”

"Having a strong lock isn’t enough, you need a shed alarm and an anchor" - Justin Kennedy

Mr Kennedy parks his scooter in the indoor store because he lives up three flights of stairs. It takes him a long time to get up and down, but is left with no other option, and so far has been unsuccessful getting a council home elsewhere.

The battery lasts for 20 miles, meaning every week Mr Kennedy must struggle to carry the batteries up to his flat to charge them.

He said the situation was not ideal, but it was better than being completely trapped.

“It made me realise how much I was relying on it.

“I missed a doctor’s appointment at 8.30am because I couldn’t get there, as bus passes only work from 9.30am.”

He also has not been able to visit his brother, who is blind, in Williams Street, Gravesend.