Tyne Tees News

Regional and national press have turned out in force to witness the moment that Alan Barnes met Katie Cutler.

67-year-old Alan was attacked while taking out his bins at his Gateshead home last week.

Katie started a fund raising web page hoping to make just £500. It has now made thousands.

The story has spread across the world with donations from as far away as New Zealand.

Alan Barnes, the disabled pensioner who was attacked outside his Gateshead home last week, has met the woman who set up a fund raising web page to help him move home.

Beautician Katie Cutler, 21, set up the web page after hearing that Mr Barnes was too scared to return to him home following the attack as he took the bins out.

The total money raised by the website is now more that £220 thousand, with more than 17 thousand donations.

The 67-year-old told ITV Tyne Tees that he is overwhelmed by the generosity he has been shown.

He said: "It's hard to think of the words to say what I feel for her [Katie], how kind she was."

Police are appealing for information after a bogus caller incident in North Tyneside.

Between 10am and 12pm yesterday (Saturday 31 January) a man knocked on the window of a resident in West Street in Wallsend.

The occupant, who has impaired eyesight, thought the man was his grandson and let him in. The man left the house after a short time, however, after he left it was established cash had been stolen.

The offender is described as medium build, in his early 30s, and wearing a rolled up black woolly hat a black three quarter length black leather jacket and dark trousers with dark brown or black leather gloves. He spoke with a local accent.

Inspector Adrian Tallantyre said: "Bogus callers will use any way they can to try and gain entry into a house with the intention of stealing things inside and it is unfortunate that their despicable behaviour often sees them take advantage of the kind nature of vulnerable and often elderly people.

"Our enquiries are ongoing to trace the offender and I would ask anyone who was in West Street on Saturday morning to get in contact.

"If anyone thinks they saw the offender, or maybe received a knock at their door from a stranger matching this description, we want to hear from them."

A woman has been treated in hospital after being attacked a burglar in a Gateshead home.

It happened around 6.50am this morning (Sunday 1 February). The woman, in her 40s, disturbed a burglar in a house in Derwentwater Road.

The burglar, a man, hit the woman over the head causing her to suffer a head injury. She taken to hospital for treatment and has since been discharged.

It's believed the burglar made off with a phone and money.

Detective Sergeant Jim McErlane said: "This was clearly a distressing incident for the woman and I would like to reassure local residents that we are doing everything we can to trace the offender.

"If anyone has information about who is responsible or witnessed the break-in we want to hear from them."

A man has been arrested after two robberies at bookmakers in Blyth in Northumberland.

At around 7.30pm on Saturday (31 January) a man armed with a knife went into Chisholm Bookmakers in Elliot Street and stole cash from the premises.

On Friday (30 January) at just after 11pm the bookmakers was robbed in similar circumstances. No one was injured in either incident.

Police believe the robberies are linked.

A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and is in police custody.

Detective Inspector Helen Anderson said: "Enquiries are being carried out into both robberies and we are continuing to appeal for any witnesses to come forward.

"Extra patrols are being carried out in Blyth to offer reassurance to the local community and we are offering support to the bookmakers."

A 32-year-old man has been charged with possessing a prohibited weapon and possession of firearm ammunition without certification.

The charges are in relation to an incident in Ouston Street in Newcastle on January 27 after suspicious items were found during a warrant.

A 30-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a man in his 20s was knocked down in Jesmond.

It happened at about 2.55am this morning (Sunday 1 February) on the Great North Road near the junction with Forsyth Road.

A grey Vauxhall Insignia was travelling north when it collided with the pedestrian.

He was taken hospital where he is receiving treatment for serious head injuries.

The road was closed for four hours to allow for collision investigation.

A 79-year-old man is in a serious condition in hospital after being hit by a car in Gateshead.

Just after 5.35pm yesterday (Saturday 31 January) police received a report of the collision involving pedestrian and a Ford vehicle on Gibside Way at Metro Retail Park.

The man was taken to the RVI for treatment where he remains.

The fund to help Alan Barnes has passed the £200k mark and is still rising. The pensioner, who was attacked outside his own home and says he is frightened to return, hopes to buy a new house with the money.

Later today he will meet Katie Cutler for the first time. She set up the fundraising page after hearing about what had happened to him.