The Romford Recorder has made a double appeal to help attack victim Dean Everett.

A gang of yobs left Dean, (21), paralysed from the chest down in a vicious assault in September 2000 and since then he has been having physiotherapy to help him walk again.

But the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority has refused him compensation because it is believed he did not talk to police on the night he was crippled. He may now have to stop his physiotherapy as it is so costly.

The Recorder is now urging all its readers to sign a petition asking the authority to reverse its ruling.

It is also asking for donations to keep Dean’s treatment going in the meantime.

Recorder editor Mark Sweetingham said: “Dean was paralysed from the neck down in a motiveless, brutal and cowardly attack.

“For 17 months since that dreadful night he has been struggling, with the help of constant physiotherapy, to regain some mobility. This treatment has to be paid for privately and it is expensive.

“Money raised by well-wishers has been paying the bills but is now almost gone. Without the regular treatment his chances of walking again are severely reduced.

“But Dean believed it would not be a problem. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority would surely be making a cash award to finance his treatment and rehabilitation.

“Those hopes were cruelly dashed recently when the authority refused his claim because, it is believed, he did not talk to police on the night he was crippled.

“It was a ludicrous ruling that appalled many. Dean has been denied justice once over the attack – the thugs who crippled him are still free.

“Let us try to ensure he is not denied justice a second time.”

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