A disabled pensioner left with a broken collar bone after a vicious mugging by a drug dealer outside his home has told how the attack 10 years ago ‘changed my life’.
Alan Barnes, 77, from Low Fell in Gateshead, stands just 4ft6in tall and has complex disabilities as a result of his mother contracting German measles while pregnant with him.
Despite his difficulties, which include being registered as blind, Mr Barnes was able to live an independent life until it was shattered by thug Richard Gatiss 10 years ago today.
Mr Barnes had been moving his bins when Gatiss pushed him to the ground and began rifling through his pockets for cash.
He eventually left empty-handed after Mr Barnes called for help from neighbours. Gatiss was ultimately sentenced to four years in prison for the attack.
After the attack, local beautician Katie Cutler – then aged 21 – launched a fundraising campaign to help Mr Barnes which raised a total of £330,000.
The pensioner, who is no longer in contact with Ms Cutler, used the money to buy his own home for the first time, as well as to fund several house moves since.
Today, Mr Barnes told the Mirror how he is still recognised by people today, having captured the hearts of the nation in the aftermath of the horror incident.
He said the attack changed his life forever, but said it was ‘nothing’ compared to other abuse he faces.
He added: ‘It did change my life. I got to know a lot of new people. I’m very thankful for what I got so I’m putting back in what I can.’
In the aftermath Mr Barnes and Ms Cutler appeared on various television shows and vowed to be ‘friends for life’, with Ms Cutler being branded the ‘Angel of the North’.
Ms Cutler was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s 2015 Birthday Honours.
Mr Barnes still lives in Low Fell, having initially purchased a smart two-bed terrace for £150,000.
However, Alan was unable to settle into his new house, and moved several times since, including into a plush newbuild overlooking the beautiful Saltwell Park which he bought for £250,000 in 2017.
He sold that house for £205,000 in July 2020, making a loss of £45,000, and is now living in a smaller home close by, having never left the Low Fell area.
Meanwhile Ms Cutler was left with a bill of almost £7,000 by a PR firm which she asked to help with fundraising and to set up a charity to continue helping people.
Unfortunately the charity did not make it off the ground and Ms Cutler was left in debt and threatened with court action.
In 2016 she lost to PR consultant Claire Barber and was ordered to repay her £6,200.
Ms Cutler at the time vowed never to do any charity work again.