A DISABLED man who claimed social services staff were more interested in partying than sorting out his problems sat in the middle of the road in protest, a court was told.

Wheelchair-bound Neil Dunne, 38, spent Christmas without gas and electricity after supplies were turned off for his home to be adapted for his needs - but work never started.

Dunne ended up getting himself arrested twice over the festive period trying to draw attention to his plight and Burnley magistrates heard how his battle with the social services department may trigger legal action.

Dunne, of Browsholme Avenue, Burnley, was absolutely discharged after he admitted obstructing the highway and threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour. The bench made no order for costs.

Neil White, prosecuting, said on December 23 1999, police were called to Manchester Road, Burnley, where Dunne was in the middle of the road and refusing to move. Traffic was building up and he was putting himself in danger.

On December 30, officers went to the social services offices, where staff complained he was being confrontational and aggressive.

Dermot Woodhead, defending, said Dunne had been aggrieved and somewhat agitated about his situation. He moved to this area some time ago and into a property not suitable or converted for his needs.

Social services accepted Dunne's home needed to be adapted and arrangements had been made numerous times for work to be undertaken. The defendant claimed he had moved out to temporary accommodation five times and each time had returned home to find work had not got under way.

In early December he was told work would take place between 8 and 23 and went to stay at a nursing home in Fleetwood. Dunne returned home on December 23 to find his gas and electricity had been turned off, but no work had been done. He tried to contact the authorities to have his supplies turned back on and was told it could not be done and, bitterly upset and aggrieved, went to social services offices at Chaddlesley House on Manchester Road.

Mr Woodhead said Dunne felt staff were more concerned in getting off to their Christmas party than helping him and nothing was going to be done. As a result, he went and sat in the middle of the road and was arrested.

Dunne then spent the Christmas period with no gas or electricity, entirely reliant on neighbours for food. He got more and more unhappy about it and when the social services offices reopened he spoke to staff and arrangements were made for supplies to be reconnected on December 30.

When the day came, it became apparent no arrangements had been made and he went to the social services offices to remonstrate in a more forceful way with the authorities. Again, he was arrested for his pains.

The police finally arranged for his gas and electricity to be connected, at Dunne's expense.

Mr Woodhead went on: "These are wholly extreme circumstances. One must have sympathy with the defendant and his predicament. He has instructed my firm to take up his case with the social services department." He added Dunne did not think he should pay the costs of his court appearance.

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council social services said they would look into the matter before making any comment.

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