A DISABLED sportsman was thrown from his wheelchair into the path of an oncoming car after a thug threw bricks at him.GlenPuxley's career as an internationally renowned paraplegic power lifter is now in doubt after the attack in Haverhill, which happened while he was visiting his girlfriend.

A DISABLED sportsman was thrown from his wheelchair into the path of an oncoming car after a thug threw bricks at him.

GlenPuxley's career as an internationally renowned paraplegic power lifter is now in doubt after the attack in Haverhill, which happened while he was visiting his girlfriend.

A brick thrown into the wheel of the 20-year-old's chair, caused it to topple over into the road. Mr Puxley, who suffered a broken thumb and neck injuries in the incident, said it was only the quick actions of the driver who swerved to avoid him, which prevented further injury.

The incident happened at 6.30pm on Mondayin Clements Lane.

The partially wheelchair-bound athlete added that he was now unsure whether he would be able to compete again after enjoying a glittering career in his youth, which has seen him land both national and international titles.

Mr Puxley said: "I was very frightened as there was no reason for the attack and I could have been seriously hurt. I was knocked into the road and a car had to swerve to avoid me.

"I was going to visit my girlfriend when someone shouted to me and threw a brick at my wheelchair.

"My chair spun out of control and spun me out. I was going quite fast because I was going downhill and I spun on my front and injured my neck. I didn't see anyone throw the brick, I just saw a black car being driven away."

After claiming a succession of national titles, Mr Puxley won both gold and bronze medals at the Inter-Continental Championships in Okalahoma, America, last August.

But despite qualifying as a favourite for the world championships in November, Mr Puxley was forced to pull out after sustaining a trapped muscle in his neck while training.

He said: "I had been suffering with trapped muscles in my neck and I have now had a relapse after the attack. The last few months have been a bit of a nightmare.

"I will be going back to my physio in a bid to get fit again but it is looking a little bleak at the moment."

Insp Mark Jepson of Haverhill police, said: "This is a particularly sickening offence which has left the man extremely shaken.

"There have been one or two incidents of late in the Clements area of people throwing objects at passing vehicles.

"This is obviously extremely dangerous, but to throw something like this at someone in a wheelchair is beyond belief. If the brick had struck the man rather than the chair, the consequences could have been far more serious."

Anyone with information about the incident should contact Pc Don Kelley at Haverhill Police Station on 01284 774100 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.