Recovering alcoholic Keith Shakespeare, 60, who had his left leg amputated six months ago, had his wheelchair stolen from outside his front door.

He has been left stranded for the past five weeks and broke down in tears on Wednesday as he told the Courier about his "s*** life".


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The Greville Road resident lives just yards from the shopping precinct in Spinney Hill. But having to edge his way forward, foot by foot, to visit the shops is becoming too much to bear.

He fills his days smoking, drinking and watching films. Mr Shakespeare said: "That's my life. It's s***. It is a real struggle to live.

"I can't go around the rest of my life on my backside, I will have no backside left. But I can't do anything else."

The former hodcarrier lived homeless in Leamington for six years before securing his current Salvation Army house after losing his leg to frostbite.

And Mr Shakespeare is still battling the effects of his life on the streets by taking medication for a number of conditions which he says leave him screaming in agony, being sick and coughing up blood most nights.

Visitors to his home vandalise his property and trash his garden but he is powerless to stop them and feels like a forgotten case.

The divorced father-of-two said: "Is it too much to be asked to be left alone?

"People just think I am mad but I am not. I have had a bit of a dog's life.

"I was sexually abused when I was five but now I just want to be left alone. Why don't these people pick on someone their own age?"

Mr Shakespeare has lived in Greville Road since March and in that time two of his wheelchairs have been snatched from his porch.

Family members have tried to help by offering Mr Shakespeare the use of crutches and were responsible for getting him his last wheelchair.

But they feel the pensioner is vulnerable and fear for his safety.

One relative, who did not want to be named but visits him regularly, said: "He can't do anything.

"When he goes to the shops people just stare at him like zombies. I am really annoyed with the system. I am no sparkling angel myself but this situation is ridiculous.

"I wouldn't see a dog living like this."

South Warwickshire Primary Care Trust wheelchair services is repsonsible for replacing the chair.

A spokesman said: "When wheelchairs are loaned to patients, the conditions of supply are fully explained and they are required to sign a loan agreement, which states that in the event of equipment being stolen or damaged full replacement costs will be charged to the user.

"Users are therefore advised to insure wheelchairs against any loss or damage."