A BLIND man has been left homeless as he is too scared to return to the place where he was viciously stabbed.

Graham Jones, was rushed to hospital two weeks ago after an attacker burst into his home, knocked him to the ground and stabbed him several times.

Now the 43-year-old is too scared to return to the Leamington Road, Blackburn, property that he was forced to flee and said today: "I could have been killed". But he is having to stay at a relative's house until a safe property can be found for him. A spokesperson for the Royal Institute for the Blind has slammed the situation as an "outrage".

Mr Jones has followed several different avenues in a bid to find a new house. Salford-based housing association Space has confirmed that he has been on a waiting list for eight months.

And Blackburn with Darwen Council, which manage sthe majority of social housing in the area, has begun the 28-day assessment to see if he is officially classed as homeless under legal criteria.

Northern Counties Housing Association, responsible for the Leamington Road property, is also looking into other suitable homes.

"I am far too scared to go back there but it is not fair that I have to live on someone else's coat strings. I want my independence back," said Mr Jones.

The attack happened on Tuesday, September 18, just before 4pm. The knifeman pounced on him from behind after finding the front door unlocked.

He suffered serious cuts to his head, face and body in the attack and was forced to run away down Leamington Road.

"I did not know what to do, I was so shocked and panicked. All I could think of was to run to my mother's house where I would be safe. I just kept on running but blood was everywhere," he said.

"I refuse to go back there now because my attacker knows I am vulnerable. I am a sitting duck. This attacker has forced me out of my home."

Graham's mother Mary Peake, of Brookhouse Lane, Blackburn, said: "I feel my son is being treated unfairly as it is not his fault. He was the victim but is now homeless because he is too afraid to go back." Mr Jones has been in contact with the police and is now taking anti-depressants. He feels too frightened to go into town alone.

He said: "I feel like a nervous wreck but I am not a coward. I just want to live somewhere I will be safe."

George Campling, director of rights, advice and entitlements at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "Mr Jones has approached us for help with his accommodation problems and we are doing everything we can to help him."

Only after the 28-day assessment will Mr Jones know the details of a possible transfer.

Mr Jones applied to Space for a transfer several months before the incident to "feel safe" and be closer to his mother.

Ian Heppenstall, asset manager for Space, said: "Our aim is to provide a solution to this problem and if it means bending the rules we will try out best to provide a safe, suitable home for him."

A spokesperson for the RNIB said: "We are outraged by this attack and hope that the local authority makes urgent efforts to rehouse Mr Jones in a property that has been adapted to enable him to lead an independent life."

"Blind and partially sighted people like Mr Jones live difficult enough lives without this sort of thing happening."

Det Sgt Sally Riley said: "This was a particularly vicious attack and we hope the situation has a speedy resolution. We are still appealing for witnesses."

The RNIB Helpline is 0845 766 9999. Anyone with more information about the crime can call DS Sally Riley at Blackburn CID on 01254 353569.