SHOCKING images from China show a deaf-mute man who has been chained and locked inside a stone hut for more than 10 years by his mum.

The 41-year-old was born unable to hear or speak so his family sent him to a special needs school for his education.

4 The 41-year-old Chinese man was born unable to hear or speak Credit: AsiaWire

But the time spent at the boarding school proved to be a traumatic experience for the villager from Henan Province.

Suspected bullying caused him to develop deep psychological issues, which have left him mentally scarred.

The mum said: "He wasn’t able to go to school any more, and his condition worsened while staying at home.

"It reached a point where he was attacking other villagers."

4 He has been chained in his stone 'prison' for more than a decade Credit: AsiaWire

4 His mum claims she chains him up because she can't handle him Credit: AsiaWire

She explained: "When his father was still alive, he was able to take care of him

"When his dad passed away 12 years ago, I couldn’t handle him on my own.

"I had no choice but to chain him up and lock him in the room. It’s been more than 10 years."

His sister cries every time she sees her brother and his animal-like existence.

4 The man's wrists are scarred by his shackles Credit: AsiaWire

A video of their most recent meeting showed her sobbing while inspecting the shackle marks on her brother’s arms.

She said: "I wish it were me chained up and that my brother were free instead.

"You never saw the times, while he was still lucid, when he begged my family to let him out."

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A village leader said: "When he was still a boy, he was very smart despite being deaf-mute.

"When he returned from school with mental problems, there was little we could do. It was heartbreaking."

The government provides the family with cash support, but it's hoped the public will raise more to send him to a psychiatric hospital.

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