Alan Barnes assault: Richard Gatiss charged as campaign raises £330,000 for disabled victim

Gateshead man Richard Gatiss is due in court charged with allegedly assaulting disabled pensioner Alan Barnes in an attack that shocked well-wishers into donating more than £330,000 to help the victim move home.

Gatiss, 25, will appear at Gateshead Magistrates' Court after being charged with assault with intent to rob.

He is accused of pushing 67-year-old Barnes, who was left disabled after his mother contracted German measles while pregnant, to the ground outside his home.

The pensioner, who is 4ft 6in tall, suffered a broken collar bone in the attack on 25 January.

A well known figure in his community, Barnes's plight went viral after local beautician Katie Cutler read about the alleged assault.

She set up an online fundraising page hoping to raise £500 to help Barnes move into a new home. But after a groundswell of support, donations currently stand at more than £330,000.

Chief Superintendent Andy McDyer, of Northumbria Police, said: "I'd like to reassure people that since this happened we've been relentless in our investigation and in following up lines of inquiry.

"In the early hours of Monday, officers made an arrest in connection with the investigation and this man has now been charged and is progressing through the court process."