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A homeless man was doused in lighter fluid and set on fire as he slept rough in Coventry.

The man was sleeping in Hillfields when he was approached by two people, according to West Midlands Police.

The force say the two unknown assailants poured lighter fluid on his hands and then set them alight, causing severe burns.

It happened between 10pm on Saturday, January 26, and early hours of Sunday, January 27.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "We are appealing for information after a homeless man was deliberately burnt in the Swanswell Park and Pool area of Coventry sometime between 10pm on Saturday 26 January and the early hours of Sunday 27 January.

"It’s believed a man was sleeping in the park when two people approached him and poured lighter fluid over his hands and set him alight, causing severe burns."

West Midlands Ambulance Service were called, but were stood down by police before they arrived.

Homelessness reached a record high in 2018 with more than 170,000 people and families being counted as homeless.

(Image: Getty)

People have been angered by what happened, with reactions flooding in via social media.

One man said: "As if life isn't hard enough for the guy, hope he makes a full recovery."

Another wrote "This made me physically sick, what on earth is wrong with people."

And Julie Twigger said: "My god how horrid hope he will be o.k. what a world we live in today disgusting."