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| Mugging victim Alan Barnes 'called by God' to Shetland | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A disabled mugging victim whose plight attracted national sympathy is leaving the home bought through a fundraising campaign due to a "calling from God". | A disabled mugging victim whose plight attracted national sympathy is leaving the home bought through a fundraising campaign due to a "calling from God". |
| Alan Barnes, 67, was afraid to return to his old home in Gateshead after he was attacked outside it in January. | Alan Barnes, 67, was afraid to return to his old home in Gateshead after he was attacked outside it in January. |
| An online campaign was set up by beautician Katie Cutler and raised £330,135 in less than a week. | An online campaign was set up by beautician Katie Cutler and raised £330,135 in less than a week. |
| Mr Barnes now says he wants to work for the church and move to Shetland, and his new house is up for sale. | |
| Broken collarbone | Broken collarbone |
| He said: "I am a Christian and I am open to the Holy Spirit. | He said: "I am a Christian and I am open to the Holy Spirit. |
| "I have had a calling from God to move to the Shetlands." | "I have had a calling from God to move to the Shetlands." |
| He said his role, which would be voluntary, would not be to try to persuade people go to church, but to talk to them about his faith. | He said his role, which would be voluntary, would not be to try to persuade people go to church, but to talk to them about his faith. |
| He said he planned to rent a property in the Shetland Islands. | |
| Mr Barnes, who is 4ft 6in tall, frail, and visually impaired, had his collarbone broken when he was knocked to the ground by mugger Richard Gatiss. | Mr Barnes, who is 4ft 6in tall, frail, and visually impaired, had his collarbone broken when he was knocked to the ground by mugger Richard Gatiss. |
| Gatiss was later jailed for four years after admitting to assault with intent to rob. | Gatiss was later jailed for four years after admitting to assault with intent to rob. |