article_snippet: Prosecutors say Richard Gatiss deliberately targeted Richard Gatiss 4ft 6in, visually-impaired 67-year-old victim out of hostility towards the disabled.
article_snippet: Prosecutors today called for the offence to be categorised as a disability hate crime .
article_snippet: Mr Dry said if it was agreed that drug addict Richard Gatiss specifically targeted Mr Barnes 'it can be inferred there is a general hostility towards people of disability'.
article_snippet: That could mean drug addict Richard Gatiss was guilty of a disability hate crime, which would aggravate the assault with intent to rob charge that drug addict Richard Gatiss admitted last month.
article_snippet: But Judge Paul Sloan QC suggested the claim of a general hostility towards disabled people was 'hollow' and told Newcastle Crown Court the aggravating circumstances would be factored into the sentencing anyway.
highlights_snippet: Prosecutors now call for offence to classified as 'disability hate crime'
  Appeal to help victim raised more than £330,000 earlier this year .