A severely-ill man is begging for help after a block of bricks was thrown through his window in the latest in a string of attacks on his home.

Ron Robins, who has a debilitating illness, says he is suffering trauma and distress because he has been a victim of vandalism for 20 years at his bungalow in Dale Crescent, Patcham, Brighton.

Several years ago, vandals forced the 52-year-old to leave his home for two years while he recovered from a series of breakdowns brought on by stress.

When he eventually returned home, the attacks continued.

Now he is demanding action from the police and council after his kitchen window was smashed in another attack this week.

His Yorkshire terrier dog narrowly escaped injury when the three bricks, cemented together, were thrown from a pathway next to his home.

Mr Robins is calling for the path to be closed.

He said: "There are four homes, including my own, attached to this pathway and we all bear the brunt of vandalism.

"I have had fences and walls kicked down, cones and bricks through my windows, a garden hose stolen and people using my home as a public lavatory. Some have even had sex on the path."

A year ago, Mr Robins chased three youths after a metal weight was thrown through his window.

"He caught up with two of the teenage boys but was then assaulted by another person, who was cautioned. A caution was also issued relating to that incident of criminal damage.

A police spokeswoman said: "Community beat officers have visited Mr Robins on a number of occasions and have talked to nearby residents.

"If we have evidence of who the offenders are, we can follow it up and make arrests."

Mr Robins has asked Brighton and Hove City Council to close the pathway next to his home.

A council spokeswoman said: "We have every sympathy with Mr Robins but the public pathway provides a valuable pedestrian linkway to Carden Avenue."