Alan Barnes Is Moving House For The Fourth Time Since Assault

Do you remember Alan Barnes? He was the disabled pensioner who was attacked when he put out his bins.

He was left with a broken collarbone and his story touched the hearts of thousands. As a result, a stranger called Katie Cutler set up an online fundraising page and helped the 68-year-old raise £330,000.

Initially, she only hoped to raise around £500 so he could get new curtains and carpets if he chose to move house. Instead, the money enabled him to buy a new home.

Alan, who has suffered growth and sight problems from birth, is now planning on moving for the fourth time since the attack.

Richard Gatiss crept up on 4ft6in tall Alan as he took his bins out in 2015. Gatiss, who said he needed cash to buy drugs, rifled through the pensioner's pockets before throwing him to the ground and breaking his collarbone.

According to the Mail, he plans to move into the £244,950 three bedroom detached house once it is completed. It looks like that will be just before Christmas.

He says that he's been unable to settle in any of the homes since the attack.

Explaining, he said: "This is what I have wanted for a while. It's just right and I can do what I want with it, and it is easy for people to find.

"It is perfect for me, it is right next to the park and I can still walk to church every day. Moving is just part of who I am - this will be the 16th house I will have lived in over my life.

"But this will be my last move. I can't wait to be in the house, just in time for my 70th birthday."

All of the houses that he's moved into since the attack have been within the same one mile radius.

He added: "I have wanted this since before Christmas - it will be a really good move for me.

"I am just going to go for it - it is a bit more than I wanted to have paid but I wanted it so I have gone for it.

"I have paid the £500 to reserve the plot with Miller Homes, which means the ball is rolling and all systems are go.

"I don't find moving stressful, I quite enjoy it actually because I like to keep busy."

You may be wondering what happened to the man that attacked Alan. Richard Gatiss was jailed for four years after admitting assault with intent to rob.

Hopefully, Alan will now find happiness with his new home.

Topics: Attack

Mel Ramsay

Mel Ramsay has been a Senior Journalist for Tyla and LADbible since 2015. She started her career writing obituaries and funeral guides online. Since then, her work has been published in a wide variety of national and local news sites. She is part of the BBC's Generation project and has spoken about young people, politics and mental health on television, radio and online. Contact her - [email protected]

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