That's the claim of the leader of a local disability support group who says its members have informed him of such incidents.

David Foster, Chair of the Rugby Disability Forum, told the Advertiser that beatings have taken place in Rugby in recent years.

He claims that the problem stems from cultural behaviour among certain Asian groups who view people with disabilities as being an 'insult to their families' and want to keep them locked up at home.

Mr. Foster said: "I have heard that a disabled Asian man left his home in Rugby to go out somewhere and when he returned was badly beaten up by his own family.

"I was shocked to hear it at first, it's not very nice and it's not British.

"It is clearly a cultural issue. Some groups insist that disabled family members must not leave the house under any circumstances.

"That's because they view disability as an insult to the family and a lot of disabled Asians become too scared to leave their homes."

Mr. Foster added that the problem was only an issue among older generations of certain ethnic groups.

He added: "I believe that the trend is mainly among the first generation of Muslims and Sikhs over here.

"The younger second and third generations are getting over it, so hopefully it could die out."

Jim Shera, a Rugby councillor and director of Warwickshire Race Equality Partnership, said: "There is a lot more that needs doing in terms of educating and informing communities about disabilities."

Have you been affected by this issue? Call the Advertiser's newsdesk on (01788) 539977 or email editorial@rugbyadvertiser.co.uk .