Blinded Pc made vain bid to help Moat victim

Ken Moss, 54, also suffered severe head and facial injuries and a broken leg in November 1992 after following a stolen car which collided with a lorry near Malton, North Yorkshire.

Mr Moss, from Hovingham Drive, Scarborough, said the news of Pc Rathband’s death came as a shock, despite being aware that the officer had been plagued with troubles after he was shot in the face by Moat in 2010.

He said: “He was worried about not being able to watch his daughter walk up the aisle and never being able to play golf again but I told him about various blind golf clubs and other organisations which he could become involved with and told him he could still play a big part in his family’s life even if he couldn’t see them.”

He said he had spoken to Pc Rathband on the telephone for more than an hour after the events two years ago and later left several messages which were never returned.

“It wasn’t long after he was shot and I thought that he might be able to pull himself round but he was finding it very difficult,” he said.

Mr Moss had extensive rehabilitation to cope with his sudden change in circumstances but said it was ultimately down to the individual to move on with their life.

He said: “I wish I could have made David believe that when you’re blind you can still live a full and happy life. You might not be able to see your family grow up but you are always there and a big part of it.

“My heart felt thoughts really do go out to David’s family at this very sad time. He was a lovely man who clearly found it all very difficult to cope with.”

Northumbria Police has announced it will hold a memorial service for Pc Rathband later this month. The 44-year-old was found hanging at his home in Blyth, Northumberland, on Wednesday.