“I THOUGHT I might die.”

They are the words of a terrified disabled man after a gang of knife-wielding thugs beat and robbed him in his Southampton home for the second time in a week.

Alan Hornsey, 49, suffered a catalogue of injuries including a broken jaw after callous yobs returned and ransacked his flat.

He had only been back home for a matter of days after being released from hospital where he was treated for the injuries he suffered previously.

Exactly a week earlier Mr Hornsey, who is partially sighted, had a knife held to his throat as two teenagers punched and kicked him to the floor.

This time there were three involved in the robbery, during which Mr Hornsey was pinned to the floor next to his bed.

The gang demanded he hand over his phone and other items as they punched and kicked him around the face and head.

They then fled the property in Wavell Road, Bitterne, having taken the mobile phone which was a replacement for the one stolen last week, as well as personal sentimental items and some cash.

Mr Hornsey was found by a friend who called 999.

Paramedics were also called to the scene and, after being lifted out on a spinal board, Mr Hornsey was taken to Southampton General Hospital.

Mr Hornsey, a former French foreign legion serviceman, said: “I was particularly traumatised after the first incident. It only needed a slight bang and I was jumpy.

“I didn’t ever think they would come back again. This time there were more of them and they completely turned my home over.

“I did not know when they were going to stop, especially as they all had knives. I feared they would stab me and it ran through my head that I might die.”

Detective Constable Tony Welch, leading the investigation, said: “These are people who obviously prey on the vulnerable.

“Despite his years in service Mr Hornsey has told me he has never felt so scared to be on his own. He was in fear of his life and he thought he was going to be killed.”

Det Con Welch added: “The circumstances would suggest that we are looking for the same suspects but clearly a third person was involved this time. I am of the firm belief that someone in the local community knows who is responsible and I would urge them, knowing the severity of this crime, to come forward.

“We need to find those who thought it acceptable to use such sickening violence and force on a vulnerable man.”

All three robbers were wearing bobble hats and gloves. One was short and stocky and known to be wearing blue jeans.

Detectives want to hear from anyone who saw the youths in or around Wavell Road between 6pm and 6.30pm on Monday and between 7.15pm and 7.45pm on January 25.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Bitterne CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.