KENNETH Richards is 78, violent, crawls around on his belly thinking he is back down the pits and is rapidly losing weight.
But the former miner is set to be discharged from Kendray hospital and sent home to live alone.
He is unable to dress or wash himself, fails to recognise his family, is only comfortable when he lies on his stomach and often calls out to workmates he has not seen in 30 years.
His family say they have been told that keeping him at Kendray is an infringement of his human rights.
Daughter Sue, son-in-law Gary and son Mark are his main carers and unable to give him the round the clock attention he needs.
Gary is a self-employed builder, Sue fears to be alone with her dad after he put a knife to her throat and Mark has his own health issues.
Kenneth, who has a drink problem, was sent to live at Greenside House old folk's home while his Mapplewell council flat was refurbished.
Within two weeks he was hallucinating, smashing furniture and threatening staff.
