Alan Barnes: My attacker 'needs to go to prison'

Alan Barnes appearing on ITV's This Morning. Credit: ITV

Alan Barnes, the disabled pensioner from Gateshead who became the victim of a crime which shocked the nation, said today that his attacker should be punished with a prison sentence.

Richard Gatiss, 25, from Gateshead, pleaded guilty to assault with intent to rob at Newcastle Crown Court and will be sentenced on Thursday.

Mr Barnes spoke today on ITV's This Morning:

At an earlier hearing at Newcastle Crown Court, Richard Gatiss, 25, from Gateshead, pleaded guilty to assault with intent to rob disabled pensioner Alan Barnes.

The court heard Gatiss used legal highs and had wanted money for drugs.

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."

Katie Cutler, who started the fundraising campaign, gives Alan Barnes his cheque

After the assault, Alan Barnes said he was staying with his sister, because he was too frightened to return to his own home.

One woman, Katie Cutler, was so shocked by the case that she began an online campaign to raise £500 for Alan.

It caught the public imagination and within days more £330,000 was raised.

Alan is using much of the money to buy a new home.