Alan Barnes mugger on legal highs at time of attack
A 25-year-old man who has admitted mugging Alan Barnes had a "drugs background" and was taking legal highs at the time of the attack.
Richard Gatiss shoved Barnes to the ground, breaking his collarbone, as the pensioner put his bin outside his house in Gateshead.
A fundraising campaign raised £330,000 for the 4ft 6in pensioner, who is visually impaired.
Northumbria Police tracked down Richard Gatiss by forensic evidence left on his victim's jacket. He has had to be kept segregated in prison because of the strength of feeling against him among other inmates.
Gatiss appeared at Newcastle Crown Court via a video-link from Durham Prison and admitted assault with intent to rob. He was told to expect a prison sentence.
'Legal highs played their part in this'
At a previous hearing, details of the case which could not then be reported were revealed, including the fact that Gatiss should not be given bail on thatoccasion for his own safety.
And prosecutor Keith Laidlaw told the previous hearing at GatesheadMagistrates' Court:
"Legal highs played their part in this. There is also possession of cannabis on his record and there is a drugs background."
The attack was motivated by a need for money for drugs, the previous hearing was told.
'Shocked, horrified and deeply ashamed'
At the Crown Court, Jamie Adams, defending, said Gatiss was "shocked, horrified and deeply ashamed of what he did".
"He has not stopped thinking about Mr Barnes since this awful deed. He is very conscious of being in the public eye and everyone not just gazing at him but glaring at him.
"It is having a deleterious effect on his wellbeing."
Judge Paul Sloan QC, the Recorder of Newcastle, adjourned the case to allow reports to be prepared, but he warned Gatiss that jail was likely.