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Disabled mugging victim Alan Barnes, 73, moves house for a SIXTH time - and reveals he no longer speaks to the beautician who raised £300,000 to help him buy his first home

A pensioner mugged in the street who had £330,000 raised for him so he could move has switched homes for sixth time since the attack.

It is estimated Alan Barnes, 73,  has spent more than £90,000 of the money raised for him by the public on the expense of being constantly on the move.

The diminutive pensioner captured the world's hearts after a fundraising campaign by a local beautician when was shoved to the ground by a drug addict in 2015.

Mr Barnes, who has suffered from height and growth problems since birth, lived in a tiny council house in Low Fell, Gateshead, when he was targeted by the thug while he put out the bins.

But money raised by young mum Katie Cutler - who Alan says he no longer speaks to - enabled him to buy a smart two-bed terrace for £150,000, making him a home owner for the first time in his life.

However, Alan was unable to settle into his new house, and has been on the move ever since, most recently leaving behind a plush newbuild overlooking the beautiful Saltwell Park which he bought for £250,000 in 2017.

The mugging victim sold that house for £205,000 last July, making a loss of £45,000, and is now living in a smaller home close by, having never left the Low Fell area.

Alan Barnes, 73, is seen today at his latest home in Gateshead, which he moved into last year

Alan Barnes, 73, is seen today at his latest home in Gateshead, which he moved into last year

Alan pictured today with Katie Cutler, the beautician who spearheaded the campaign to raise money for him

Alan pictured today with Katie Cutler, the beautician who spearheaded the campaign to raise money for him

Alan said: 'I had been trying to sell my last house for two years. I had a lot of problems there. There were lots of people riding bikes and dogs. I was struggling to sell it, it was difficult.

'Nobody came to see it because of the pandemic, it was nothing but a nuisance.

'I had to move out of it quickly as there was only one person interested and they were in danger of losing their mortgage. I rented for a few months before moving here.

'I lost 45 grand in the sale. If I had stayed there longer it would've dug further into the money I had left. I also had to pay £6,000 in fees.

'I like this house. I was always interested in architecture and it is an older property.'

Alan says he won't buy another house, but would consider paying someone to build him a bespoke detached bungalow in the future.

The devout Christian has never been able to settle and has moved house  frequently over the years, making a loss with each sale.

After struggling to settle in his first house, the £150,000 Victorian terrace, Alan sold it for £147,000 and moved one mile down the road.

In 2015 he bought the second property, a semi-detached two-bedroom property,  which cost £115,000, but put it up for sale just two months later.

After a year on the market, Alan accepted an offer of just £78,000 so he could shift again.

2015: Alan bought his first home in Gateshead six years ago (it is pictured in this image from the time)

2015: Alan bought his first home in Gateshead six years ago (it is pictured in this image from the time)

2015: Later that year, he bought the second property, a semi-detached two-bedroom property, which cost £115,000, but put it up for sale just two months later

2015: Later that year, he bought the second property, a semi-detached two-bedroom property, which cost £115,000, but put it up for sale just two months later

2017: Two years' later, the pensioner decided to start renting to 'be free of the ties of a house' - but then purchased a brand new home on an upmarket housing development

2017: Two years' later, the pensioner decided to start renting to 'be free of the ties of a house' - but then purchased a brand new home on an upmarket housing development

Right move? A history of Alan's househunting

2015: First property was purchased for £150,000

September 2015 - First property sold for £147,000

December 2015 - Second property bought for £115,000

February 2017 - Second property sold for £78,000

March 2017 - Alan spends a brief time renting

May 2017 - Alan buys third property for £249,950

July 2020 - Alan sells property for £205,000

September 2020 - Alan buys fourth house for £150,000. Fees were £6,000

In 2017, the pensioner decided to start renting to 'be free of the ties of a house' - but then purchased the brand new home on an upmarket housing development. When he sold it last year he rented for a few months before moving into his latest home.

Alan, who is working on doing the house up himself, says he now has £67,000 left of the money raised for him by well wishers after Katie, then 21, launched a crowd funding appeal.

His attacker, Richard Gattis, was jailed for four years after admitting assault with intent to rob following the attack which saw Alan break his collar bone.

Gattis, then 25, who had been desperate for cash to pay for legal highs, had ran off empty handed when Alan shouted for help.

Alan, who didn't comment on the reasons behind his many moves, added: 'I've still got some money left. I'm saving £950 in council tax here. I'm trying to see what I'm doing to do.

'I won't buy another house but if I get the opportunity to build a bungalow I would like that. I want to save the money in case someone offers me the opportunity to draw up plans.

'I have never spoken to Richard Gattis. I was finished with all that when they had the court case. It's like carrying rubbish around.

'I don't speak to Katie any more either.'

Alan pictured today enjoying a cup of tea at his new home in Gateshead. He has not commented on the reasons for his many moves

Alan pictured today enjoying a cup of tea at his new home in Gateshead. He has not commented on the reasons for his many moves 

Alan enjoying his new gardenAlan posing inside the property

Alan enjoying his new garden, and posing inside the property in pictures taken today 

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