It is the story that made a nation feel at first worse about itself – and then a whole lot better.
When vulnerable pensioner Alan Barnes, 67, was attacked by mugger Richard Gatiss outside his home, he felt no longer safe there and moved out.
Drug-user Gatiss, 25, has now been jailed for four years after the assault.
Alan is just 4ft 6in tall and is partially sighted and was putting out the dustbins when he was attacked outside his housing association home.
A young woman living locally, beautician Katie Cutler, 21, was so appalled that she began to raise funds.
The appeal went viral and well-wishers from across Britain and beyond chipped in £300,000. The story about the kindness of strangers made headlines across the world.
Now Alan has been handed the keys to his new home, a £150,000 Victorian terrace – with the transaction being handled by Jan Forster Estates in Gateshead, who negotiated the purchase with the respect Alan deserves.
Property adviser Jody Ratcliffe told Eye: “The property had been on the market since September 2014 and just before Alan bought the property we had a sale which fell through.
“The vendor was over the moon and was very happy that Alan thought their property was going to be the one for him.
“Our accompanied viewer showed Alan around the property so the vendors didn’t meet Alan until the day he collected keys.
“Alan has always been from the Low Fell area so he felt this was a great place to be, close to the shops, and means he can still be involved in the local community and local churches.
“Alan loved the space the property had, he didn’t need to do any immediate work as the property was ready to move into which ticked the boxes, and the property had a private courtyard to the rear which meant he could feel safe in the property after his ordeal.
“The sale went through very quickly due to Alan being a cash buyer from all the donations which were raised, so we only dealt with Alan for a couple of weeks but we all had the pleasure of meeting him and seeing how appreciative he was when collecting the keys.”
Alan said: “I’m very grateful still to everyone who helped me get this house, especially Katie.
“I’m glad I’ve put the money to good use.
“I haven’t spent it all in case I need some extra to refurbish the house.”
It is a heartwarming story – in the end.
What a genuinely lovely story. I was a little worried when I read the heading that it might have involved some sort of Thai massage.
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Truly a heartwarming story but unfortunately RealAgent you feel it necessary to reduce it to some cheap racist innuendo. Clearly you have never been to Thailand otherwise you would known the vast majority of Thai massage houses are purely for therapy and well-being not the sexual kind that you appear to have some knowledge. Your comment is a bit like a joke but without the humour.
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Well fluter 6 people disagree with you and its only 9.50. But I tell you what, you share with me a joke that you do find funny and I will let you know whether I do too.
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fluter a bit harsh!
I did raise smile when i read it and RA is the first to admit if anything said is in poor taste. (think you are just a little sensitive on this)
On a side not well done to the young lady and her fund raising a fantastic story!
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