FIFTH TIME LUCKY?
Disabled mugging victim Alan Barnes plans to move house for FIFTH time after supporters raised £330,000 for him
He has struggled to settle in a series of homes after supporters raised £330,000 for him
DISABLED mugging victim Alan Barnes says he plans to move house for the FIFTH time in three years after he was given £330,000 by well wishers.
The frail 70-year-old, who broke his collar bone in the shocking 2015 attack, has only been in his plush three bedroom new-build for nine weeks.
6
But already he has said he wants to sell the house and move into a bungalow instead.
Alan moved into the £244,950 detached property, which overlooks Saltwell Park in Gateshead, in November.
He said it was perfect as he could walk to church and said it would be his last move.
But now he insists he enjoys moving house and feels he would be happier in a one-storey home.
Alan Barnes describes mugging attack
6
The devout Christian said: "I am settling in OK here but I have been analysing my life and I think that I need a bungalow - not an old people one though.
"My nan and grandad had a bungalow and that was the only place I really felt happy and ever liked.
"It's just who I am. I just want to sort myself and feel that a bungalow is going to be my direction in life.
"A lot of people just stay put even if they are not happy, but I won't do that.
Mugging victim Alan Barnes is moving house for 4th time since wellwishers gave him £330,000
6
6
"I like to have space to move all the furniture around - my mam used to do that a lot and I think that is why I like it so much.
"I will be trying for a bungalow in Gateshead but I don't know when it will happen."
An online fund set up by single mum Katie Cutler raised £330,000 to remove him from the house where he was attacked by the mugger.
Katie then became embroiled in a bitter legal row over funds she owed PR Claire Barber,which Alan then offered to help pay off.
He used the donations to buy a £150,000 two-bedroom Victorian terrace, in his native Low Fell, but struggled to settle in.
Then Alan moved a mile down the road to 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.
6
6
Last year, the pensioner began renting a flat to "be free of the ties of a house" - but then decided to purchase the flash new-build through Miller homes.
All of the properties Alan has lived in have been within the a one mile area of Gateshead - where he is sure he will find his dream bungalow.
MOST READ IN NEWS
When asked if he had spoken to Katie Cutler recently, he said: "Not as time has gone on. It is three years coming up to when it all happened.
"It is like a marriage is broken up.
"Her life and my life are nothing remotely the same. They are worlds apart.
"She likes to go on holidays and go out for meals and do things like that - but I'm not in to that."
Alan Barnes has offered to pay his fundraiser’s PR bill after previously offering her £10
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368 . We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.