A pizza delivery man who was rewarded for his bravery after going to the aid of a man who was brutally murdered, is now living rough on the street, unable to work and suffering from depression.

Ali Samivand was hailed a hero by a judge after he was the first on the scene as Michael Tierney lay unconscious and bleeding on the pavement near his Chatham home.

Mr Tierney, 33, was subjected to savage attack in June 2015 and died two days later in hospital.

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Mr Samivand, 36, who is seeking asylum from his homeland of Iran, had been working that night when he saw the victim slumped on the ground in Haig Avenue.

The kick-boxer stayed with the emergency services from about 11pm to 4am while they investigated the scene.

He said: “There were other people around but they did not do anything, just waved at me.”

Since that tragic night, Mr Samivand has had problems getting a visa, has lost his job, has little money, has nowhere to live and lost a lot of weight. He still gets flashbacks.

Breaking down in tears, he said: “I can’t go anywhere near where it happened. I have seen enough about death in Iran.

"I don’t even know if my own mother and daughter are alive. But I have never had somebody die before my eyes.”

Since then his friend Candy Chaffey has led a desperate appeal to get him an immigration appeal hearing, writing to MPs, solicitors, human rights organisations - and even the Queen and Prince Harry.

She said: “Ali is a good man who just wants to work. Everyone seems to have forgotten about what he did that night. He deserves a lot more than this.”

After the court case, Mr Samivand received an award for his courage the High Sheriff of Kent.

Judge Adele Williams, who resided over the case, praised his conspicuous kindness and compassion when others nearby had failed to react.

Ms Williams said: “Those actions restore our faith in humanity when we in court see on a daily basis, greed, violence, destruction and wrongdoing.”

The judge added: “He is an example to all of us.”

Shelley Tierney, sister of Michael Tierney on behalf of the family, said: “We’re terribly upset to hear of Ali’s situation, we first got to know Ali when he helped our brother while others walked by or chose to ignore what was happening to Mikey.

“Because of Ali’s kindness he was awarded a medal, so this seems so unfair that he may have to leave this country when he is a great asset to it.

“If there was more people like Ali in the world it would be a much better place.

"If there’s anything we can do for him, he should not hesitate to call on us.”