An Eastbourne man blinded in a savage attack by a paranoid schizophrenic has called for a change in the mental health system.

Clifford Williams, 53, was critically injured in Eastbourne last April when he was beaten repeatedly with a metal bar by a stranger who thought he was killing an alien.

About four hours earlier his attacker, Ian Punyer, had gone to the Eastbourne District General Hospital's accident and emergency department, but after seeing a psychiatrist he walked out after deciding he did not want treatment.

Yesterday homeless Mr Punyer, 35, was cleared by a jury at Lewes Crown Court of attempting to murder Mr Williams on grounds of insanity.

Mr Punyer, who had denied the charge on grounds of insanity, was detained indefinitely at Ashenhill Hospital, a secure unit at Hellingly, under the Criminal Procedures and Insanity Act.

As he was led from the dock, Mr Punyer turned to father-of-five Mr Williams and said: "Sorry."

Judge Anthony Scott-Gall said Mr Punyer would remain in a secure environment until those treating him were satisfied it was safe to release him.

He told the jury it was a "dreadful" case and the verdict was entirely appropriate.

After the hearing Mr Williams, of Bexhill Road, Eastbourne, who ran a computer business before the attack, said he believed the mental health system let him and Mr Punyer down.

He wants changes to be made to enable doctors and the police to take immediate action when someone shows signs of severe mental illness.

He said: "I feel sorry for the bloke. He has wrecked my life and wrecked his own as well. He was obviously crying out for help somewhere along the line and did not get it.

"If the hospital thinks somebody needs mental attention it should be able to call an independent body to make a proper assessment before they are set free."

His partner, Sandie, who sat with him in court and supported him through the two-day trial, said she was angry Mr Punyer was able to walk out of the hospital when he was clearly unwell.

She said: "They were not being fair to him, let alone Cliff. The doctors should have powers to detain until they can make a proper assessment.

"We were told the hospital's hands were tied. If that is the case, the system should be changed."

Mr Williams is also concerned that doctors will allow Mr Punyer to walk free from Ashenhill while he is still a risk to the public.

He said: "I feel he has been put into a cell with an open door. Nobody is going to know until he gets back on the streets whether he is safe.

"He was using a bar to poke my eyes out, which he successfully did.

"I am not saying Ian Punyer should be locked away for the rest of his life, but I am worried there does not seem to be anything to stop him being let out in a couple of years and doing the same thing again."

Mr Williams has struggled to rebuild his life, but he is haunted by the fact that his youngest son, nine-year-old Sam, could have been with him that night. He said: "It was pure fluke that he went to Cubs instead."

He said: "I cannot see my kids grow up. I have not seen my nine-year-old since he was eight. At the end of the day, what happened, happened."

The attack happened after Mr Williams, a motorcycle enthusiast, went to his garage in Seabeach Lane.

Mr Punyer walked in, wrapped in a plastic sheet, before attacking Mr Williams with a 2ft jack handle in nearby Seaford Road.

He repeatedly hit him over his head, face and body. Mr Williams suffered multiple injuries, including fractures to his skull, cheekbones, nose and jaw, He had a broken wrist and finger and his ear was torn.

He remained in a coma for three weeks and stayed in hospital for ten weeks.

Police found Punyer in an empty building near the scene of the attack, curled up in a foetal position and rambling about aliens.

He told the officers: "The aliens are coming. Plastic polythene is the only protection against the Tin Man. There has been a murder. I killed him. He was killed because he was an alien."

During the court hearing, the jury was told how friends and relatives had become increasingly concerned about Mr Punyer's strange behaviour and deteriorating mental health in the days before the attack.

He had recently returned from living in Spain, claiming he was the son of God and was being followed by a spaceship.

Psychiatric assessments after the attack stated Mr Punyer was suffering from severe mental illness.