Man gets 4 years for pensioner assault

A drug addict whose sickening attack on a 4ft 6in pensioner caused outrage around the world has been jailed for four years after admitting trying to mug his visually-impaired victim.

Well-wishers who were moved by the plight of Alan Barnes, 67, raised £330,000 (€451,000) for him within days of Richard Gatiss’s cowardly assault.

The 25-year-old pushed Mr Barnes over as he put out the bins, breaking his collar bone.Gatiss was desperate for money to buy so-called legal highs when he tried to mug him.

He was jailed at Newcastle Crown Court after previously admitting assault with intent to rob.

Judge Paul Sloan said: “I have no doubt he was picked on by you because of his vulnerability. It was on any view a despicable offence.”

Gatiss, from Split Crow Rd, Gateshead, was caught after police retrieved DNA evidence from the pocket on Mr Barnes’s jacket.

He had run off empty- handed from the mugging when Mr Barnes shouted for help.

While on remand, Gatiss was kept in segregation for his own safety due to the strong feelings his attack caused even among convicted criminals.

Mr Barnes, who was too scared to move back to his home in Low Fell, Gateshead, after the mugging, will buy a new house with the money raised online.

The fund was set up by local beautician Katie Cutler, aged 21, who initially hoped to raise £500, enough to buy new carpets or curtains.

But the appeal went viral and his family called a halt when the total reached £330,000. Many donors also left messages expressing disgust that such a vulnerable man could be attacked.

Mr Barnes’s disabilities were caused when his mother contracted German measles during pregnancy.

He and Ms Cutler plan to use their new high profile to launch a foundation with the aim of raising £1m for good causes.

Gatiss did not visibly react when he was sentenced. He had wept during previous court hearings.