05/07/2010

Killer Gunman Has 'Hit List'

Fears are mounting that a newly released prisoner who has already killed one man and seriously injured his former girlfriend and a policeman may have a list of victims to shoot.

It has also emerged that Northumbria Police was told by Durham Prison that murder suspect Raoul Moat had already threatened to kill people on his release.

The man is thought to have first targeted his former girlfriend who was shot and wounded at the same time as her boyfriend was killed.

Samantha Stobbart, 22, was shot in Birtley, Gateshead, on Saturday along with boyfriend with Chris Brown, 29, who died from his injuries.

A police officer was also shot in his patrol car in Newcastle on Sunday and, Det Ch Supt Neil Adamson has since confirmed that police have received a hand-written letter in the past 24 hours purportedly from Moat, outlining a number of "grievances".

Miss Stobbart is said to be improving in hospital. Pc David Rathband, 42, remains in a critical condition after undergoing surgery for face and chest wounds.

However, the crazed gunman who is still at large may have a hit list of victims.

The sister of Raoul Moat's ex-lover Sam Stobbart has been told he has posted a list of targets on social networking site Facebook.

Kelly Stobbart, 27, said: "I'm on it and so are family members. He's said he will take out any police that get in his way.

"I'm absolutely petrified because I haven't got police protection and he's angry with me and my family. I'm really worried for my gran because she's 69-years-old and he knows where she lives."

A former partner, with whom he has two children, and anyone who gave evidence at his trial for assault including social workers, a family liaison officer and two detectives are in police protection.

(BMcC/GK)

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