A DRUG addict who mugged frail pensioner Alan Barnes wept as he heard his attack dubbed a “hate crime”.
Richard Gatiss, 25, deliberately targeted his 4ft 6in, visually-impaired 67-year-old victim out of hostility towards the disabled, prosecutors said.
The sickening story of the attack in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, in January went global – and within days the public had donated £330,000 to buy Alan a new home.
Gatiss, also from Gateshead, appeared briefly at Newcastle Crown Court via a videolink from Durham Prison where he is being kept in segregation for his own safety.
He appeared distraught, and sat hunched in his chair as he followed proceedings.
Prosecutor Nick Dry told how Gatiss struck in an area of sheltered accommodation for disabled and elderly people.
He added that Gatiss made a partial admission to police that he knew of Alan prior to the attack.
Mr Dry said Gatiss specifically targeted Alan because of “hostility towards people of disability”.
Gatiss admitted assault with intent to rob last month.
Judge Paul Sloan QC felt the additional claim of a general hostility towards disabled people was “hollow” and said the aggravating circumstances would be factored into the sentencing anyway.
He said the prosecution must serve evidence to back up their claims within a week.
Judge Sloan told Gatiss at the end of the ten-minute hearing he would continue to be remanded in custody and “an immediate sentence of imprisonment is pretty well inevitable”.
It has previously been said in court that Gatiss was trying to get money to buy legal highs when he mugged Alan.
His victim was shoved over and broke his collarbone but Gatiss fled empty-handed when Alan called for help.
Gatiss will be sentenced on April 2.