Katie Cutler refuses mugging victim Alan Barnes’ money after he offers to pay legal bill
The mum-of-one has insisted she doesn't want to take any of his money
AN 'ANGEL' who raised £330,000 for a disabled mugging victim has rejected his offer to pay off her controversial PR bill - saying she will not take a penny from him.
Katie Cutler, 23, is embroiled in a bitter legal row over the £6,687 she owes PR Claire Barber - who claims she was hired to raise Katie's profile at a cost of £550 a day.
Disabled Alan Barnes, 68, was intensely criticised online after saying he would pitch in £10 towards the bill, which has since been raised by internet fundraisers.
But now, he has offered to pay the bill in full.
Alan, who is registered blind and stands just 4ft 6in tall, was mugged outside his home in Gateshead in January of last year - prompting Katie to start an online fundraising campaign on his behalf.
He explained: "I just want to solve the problem. Katie did so much for me and I want to help her as it has got out of hand.
"I didn’t pay for convalescence when I was injured as I stayed with my sister Carol for 12 weeks.
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"Because I didn’t have to pay for that I am donating that money I didn’t spend back then, to clear up the bill for Katie."
But Katie, a mum-of-one, told : "I raised the money for him and don't want to take any money from him.
“It is a really nice offer, it is really kind of him. But the money I have now received will cover the bill if I need it. However, I hope to take this to court and give the money to charity."
If Katie successfully contests the claim, she plans to donate funds raised for her to The Solan Connor Fawcett Family Trust, a charity based in County Durham.
The part-time beautician also intended to set up her own charitable foundation after winning a Queen's Medal for her charity work - but the legal row has so far got in the way of those plans.