A disabled pensioner has blasted the “evil” vandals who scratched a deep gash in his brand new, specially adapted vehicle.

Bruce Mayhew’s dark green Vauxhall Zafira was parked near his home in Jaggard’s Road, Coggeshall, when it was targeted he believes overnight on Saturday.

The vehicle has a hoist fitted so that Mr Mayhew’s mobility scooter can easily get in and out of the car, and the brand new 67 plate had only been picked up from the lease company a week before.

Mr Mayhew said: “These people are just evil and they have no respect.

“They knew what they were doing. It is so deep it has got to have been done on purpose.

“If they had looked inside they would have seen the notice saying it was a disabled vehicle.”

The car is a lifeline for Mr Mayhew and wife Phyllis, 73, as he suffers from pulmonary fibrosis and has to use and oxygen tank to help him breathe 24-hours a day.

“We cannot go out without the car. I cannot get a bus from home because I cannot walk unaided.

“My wife cannot walk without walking sticks and she cannot drive. The car is our lifeline.”

The incident has left Mr Mayhew and his wife upset and scared to contact the insurance company in case there are financial consequences.

“I can’t have it repaired just for some animal to come along and do it again.

“No one else nearby seems to have had this happened. It looks like a targeted attack. Maybe these people were jealous because it was a brand new car.”

Essex Police confirmed the incident has been reported, but said there are no lines of inquiry.

Any witnesses should contact Colchester police station on 101.