A drug addict who mugged frail pensioner Alan Barnes wept today as he heard lawyers will argue his attack was a 'hate crime ' . Prosecutors say Richard Gatiss deliberately targeted his 4ft 6in , visually-impaired 67-year-old victim out of hostility towards the disabled . The cowardly attack on Mr Barnes , from Gateshead , Tyne and Wear , shocked Britain in January and a fundraising campaign to buy him a new home made £330,000 in just a few days . Alan Barnes - who suffers growth problems and is partially sighted - was attacked by drug addict Richard Gatiss ( right ) in January . Prosecutors today called for the offence to be categorised as a disability hate crime . Gatiss , 25 , also of Gateshead , appeared briefly at Newcastle Crown Court via a videolink from Durham Prison today , where he is being kept in segregation for his own safety . He will be sentenced on April 2 . The mugger sat hunched in his chair today as he followed proceedings and broke down in tears at one point . Nick Dry , prosecuting , said Gatiss struck in an area of sheltered accommodation for disabled and elderly people . He also made a partial admission to police that he knew of Mr Barnes prior to the attack . The court heard that , in Mr Barnes 's opinion , he was attacked due to his disability . Mr Dry said if it was agreed that Gatiss specifically targeted Mr Barnes 'it can be inferred there is a general hostility towards people of disability ' . That could mean Gatiss was guilty of a disability hate crime , which would aggravate the assault with intent to rob charge that he admitted last month . Mr Dry added : 'It is pure inference that is sought by the crown . ' The attack on Mr Barnes sparked outrage around Britain and led to his neighbour , beautician Katie Cutler , organising a fund to help the 67-year-old . Donations flooded in from around the world and saw Mr Barnes given £330,000 to buy him a new home . But Judge Paul Sloan QC suggested the claim of a general hostility towards disabled people was 'hollow ' and told the court 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 10-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 Mr Barnes . His victim was shoved over and broke his collar bone but Gatiss fled empty-handed when Mr Barnes called for help .
Disabled pensioner 's mugging shocked Britain when it emerged in January . Partially-sighted 67-year-old knocked to the ground , breaking collar bone . Drug addict arrested for attack and admitted assault with intent to rob . Prosecutors now call for offence to classified as 'disability hate crime ' Appeal to help victim raised 330,000 earlier this year .