Gunman 'Makes Threats To The Public'

Police hunting for a fugitive gunman who is alleged to have shot three people in Northumbria have revealed that he has now made threats to members of the public.

Raoul Moat, 37, has been on the run since the weekend shootings, which left his girlfriend injured, her new boyfriend dead and a police officer injured.

Police have now revealed that they have received information that indicates that Mr Moat poses a threat to the public. It had previously been believed that Mr Moat's main target was the police force. A letter which was sent to police and The Sun newspaper, declared war on Northumbria Police, stating: "The public need not fear me, but the police should as I won't stop 'til I'm dead."

Mr Moat has been on the run ever since his former girlfriend Samantha Stobbart, 22 was shot and her partner, Chris Brown, 29, was killed in Birtley, Gateshead, in the early hours of Saturday. The following day, Pc David Rathband, 42, was shot and wounded in Newcastle.

Mr Moat is believed to still be in the Rothbury area and an exclusion zone remains in place.

Police have also made two further arrests in the case. It is understood that two men have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Earlier today, two other men appeared in court, charged with conspiracy to commit murder possessing a firearm with intent. Karl Ness, 26, from Dudley in North Tyneside and Qhuram Awan, 23, from Blyth in Northumberland are accused of supplying the gun to Mr Moat. It has been alleged that Mr Ness was with Mr Moat when the first shooting occurred and that both men were present when Pc Rathband was shot.

Both men have been remanded in custody.

(KMcA/BMcC)