Ussu fled imprisonment and torture, only to find himself treated like a liar and outcast in the UK. Here’s how he survived homelessness and horrific injury in almost two decades without a decision

The outcome for those involved in military coups can be unpredictable at the best of times. In Ussu’s case, he was captured and tortured before making a bold escape. But after breaking out of the compound where he was jailed, and coming to Britain, a very different kind of fight lay ahead – one that lasted almost two decades.

Ussu grew up in a small and unstable African country, a former Portuguese colony that was no stranger to attempted coups (the country is not being named to protect Ussu’s identity). A good student, he dreamed of going to university to train to become a doctor, but he was required to complete two years of military service first. Once he was in the army, though, his superiors refused to release him. Years passed and there was still no sign of an exit route. He became increasingly dismayed by the actions of his government.