Friends 'helping' Moat evade capture
Detectives in Britain were tonight trying to unravel a network of accomplices suspected of harbouring gunman Raoul Moat as he widened his deadly threats from police to the public.
Senior investigators believe the former doorman has been supported by friends who helped him remain a step ahead of one of the biggest police manhunts in living memory.
As the search stretched into its sixth day, police admitted the rugged Northumbria terrain around isolated Rothbury was helping Moat avoid capture.
They revealed two men are being questioned on suspicion of assisting an offender after they were arrested in the area of the village last night.
Two other alleged accomplices, Karl Ness and Qhuram Awan, appeared before magistrates today accused of being part of Moat’s conspiracy to hunt down and kill policemen.
Police released CCTV images of Moat captured at a branch of B&Q in Newcastle on Friday, hours before he shot his ex-girlfriend and killed her new lover before going on to declare “war” on police.
Officers said the up-to-date images, in which Moat sports a distinctive Mohican-style haircut and tight-fitting bright orange T-shirt, should help the public identify him.
Detective Chief Superintendent Neil Adamson, who is leading the inquiry, said all the “intelligence, information and advice” police have points to Moat remaining in countryside around Rothbury.
The senior detective revealed he is now believed to be a “wider threat” to the public as forensic psychologists examine letters written by the gunman to determine who is most at risk.
He warned anyone “assisting, harbouring or helping” the 37-year-old would be arrested and prosecuted as he suggested the fugitive may have access to a mobile phone.
Mr Adamson said: “There are several lines of inquiry in relation to how and if he is communicating with other people.
“There are numerous new lines of inquiry that have come to light in the past 24 hours, all of which are being progressed at a pace.
“I would once again like to express our desire to resolve this situation safely, and that the force is making every effort to do so.”
Mr Adamson also appealed to “an individual” who rang police at 10.30pm last night with information about another car that may be linked to the hunt.
Mr Adamson said there were no named individuals under threat from the rogue gunman and insisted the net continues to close in on Moat.
He added: “I am disappointed that we haven’t located Mr Moat yet and I’m sure all the public hold that view.”
Rothbury remains at the centre of the huge manhunt for Moat, thought to be armed with one or two weapons and a stockpile of ammunition, as armed police search remote buildings and scour moorland.
The fugitive has vowed not to stop killing “till I’m dead” in a letter to Northumbria Police, who he blames for the loss of his children, girlfriend and liberty.
Moat’s uncle Charlie Alexander, 72, told police he would be a “safety shield” and lead the outlaw to safety if friends revealed where he is.
He said: “If he would get in touch I would be prepared to meet him. We are not forsaking him. Even though he has done what he has done, we will help him. He would not hurt me.”
Ness, 26, from Dudley, north Tyneside, and Awan, 23, from Blyth in Northumberland, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court accused of conspiracy to commit murder and possessing a firearm with intent.
Ness was allegedly with Moat when he shot his former girlfriend Samantha Stobbart and killed her new partner Chris Brown in the Scafell area of Birtley, Gateshead, early on Saturday.
The next day Moat allegedly shot and seriously injured Pc David Rathband as he sat in his patrol car at a roundabout.
Ness and Awan are accused of being with Moat when the officer was shot and of helping him look for police targets. They were remanded in custody to appear before Newcastle Crown Court on July 22.
They were arrested by police as they walked away from Rothbury on Monday. A black Lexus believed to have been used by Moat was found abandoned in a industrial estate after a tip-off.
Speaking outside court, Darren Rathband, brother of the injured officer, paid tribute to him.
He said: “My brother is an inspiration, not only to me. He should be an inspiration to everybody involved in this investigation.
“He wants to thank Northumbria officers and all the other officers from across the country who’ve come up here to resolve this incident.”
Khashif Khan, representing Awan’s family, said they believe the justice system will “exonerate their brother.”