Richard Gatiss has been jailed for four years at Newcastle Crown Court after admitting assault with intent to rob Alan Barnes outside his home in Gateshead. Newcastle Crown Court heard Gatiss was desperate for money to buy so-called legal highs when he tried to mug the 4ft 6in pensioner.
Alan Barnes has welcomed the jail term handed to his attacker today and said he hopes the 25-year-old would "do some thinking" while in prison.
Richard Gatiss was jailed for four years at Newcastle Crown Court after admitting mugging the 67-year-old pensioner outside his home in Gateshead earlier this year.
Barnes suffered a broken collarbone in the attack and was too frightened to return to his home.
Today he said his injuries have almost fully healed and that he had found a new home in Gateshead he wanted to buy with money raised by well-wishers through a fundraising appeal set up by hairdresser Katie Butler.
"I would personally like to thank the local community for their amazing donations of food, toiletries and clothing. "
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