hospital after suffering burns to 90 percent of his body in a stove blast.

Last week it was believed that the 37-year-old Crest View Road, Smith's Parish man was well on the road to recovery after staff at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore described his condition as "improving''. It was even suggested that he could return to the Island in a matter of weeks.

But last night a spokesman confirmed Mr. Perinchief was back on the critical list.

And a relative made an emotional appeal for the Press to stop harassing Mr.

Perinchief's family.

"I just wish you would leave our family alone -- this is so upsetting,'' the family member said.

"The family don't want to go through this. Just pray and hope that he will be able to come back, just pray that he makes it.'' Mr. Perinchief was horrifically burned when a gas cooker exploded in his apartment in August.

Police are waiting to interview Mr. Perinchief when he returns to the Island in connection with the incident and have already quizzed his girlfriend in connection with the matter.