Diabetic Stephen Knight, who had his right leg amputated eight months ago, has now had his mobility scooter stolen from outside his Devizes home.

Mr Knight, 48, of Dundas Close, said: “It has made me a virtual prisoner in my own home. I feel totally trapped.”

He is also a carer for his partner of 28 years, Marcia Watts, who suffers from agoraphobia and finds it almost impossible to leave the house.

Miss Watts, 47, said: “He feels really confined in the house and I am worried about him. He hasn’t been out since the scooter was taken a week ago. Usually he would use it to go into town every day. The scooter is a real lifeline for him.

“I don’t know how anyone could do such a thing.”

The scooter was taken on Tuesday, September 2, after Mr Knight left it by his front door.

He said: “I always bring it in to our front room at night but this time I didn’t. I couldn’t believe it when I found it had gone. I don’t know if this is someone’s idea of a joke but it isn’t funny. It has probably ended up in the canal.”

Mr Knight, who grew up in Worton and went to Lavington School, originally worked as a bricklayer. He and his partner moved to Coventry but returned to Devizes 12 years ago as his father was unwell. His two grown- up children stayed in Coventry.

In December last year his leg was amputated from the knee down after an abscess formed. He now has to get about on crutches and has been unable to have an artificial limb fitted yet.

He has a wheelchair but finds it difficult to use on his own.

Mr Knight said: “Having the leg amputated was a real blow. Before that I was active and used to socialise a lot. Getting the mobility scooter gave me back my life.”

He paid £150 for the blue Go Go three-wheeled second hand scooter six months ago but it is not insured.

Devizes police are investigating the theft.