Pair were ‘willing helpers’ of gunman Raoul Moat

Qhuram Awan, 23, and Karl Ness, 26, were with Moat when he rang police after blasting unarmed Pc David Rathband to boast: “You are going to have to kill me, I’m never going to stop,” Newcastle Crown Court heard.

A jury heard how the two men helped the former doorman after he was released from prison hell-bent on killing his ex-partner’s new boyfriend, then phoned Northumbria Police to say he was “hunting for officers”.

And they were with him when Moat considered trying to kill more police officers as they drove past a McDonald’s drive-through – but decided to finish eating his McFlurry ice cream instead.

Opening the prosecution case Robert Smith QC told the jury: “The case which you are to try involves two men who, the prosecution say, were Moat’s willing accomplices.”

Less than 24 hours after murdering Chris Brown, 29, in Birtley, Tyneside, with three shotgun blasts, and badly injuring his ex-girlfriend Sam Stobbart, 22, with another shot, he left Pc Rathband for dead on an A1 slip-road west of Newcastle.

The prosecution alleged Ness helped Moat kill Mr Brown and both defendants are accused of the attempted murder of the police officer.

The jury was told that while in hiding, the trio robbed a chip shop in Seaton Delaval, Northumberland, and stole £100 at gunpoint.

Awan then drove to a McDonalds in Ashington where they ate burgers and McFlurry ice creams.

Mr Smith said: “While they were eating their food a police car came past and Moat was debating whether to shoot the police officers. He decided against it because he was too busy eating his ice cream.”

It is alleged that both men pretended they were being held captive by Moat while he was on the run, and wrote false letters to that effect.

Moat and the defendants were hiding in Rothbury, Northumberland, where the ex-convict eventually shot himself following a stand-off with police.

Ness denies the murder of Mr Brown, attempting to murder Pc Rathband, one charge of conspiracy to murder, one charge of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and one of robbing a fish shop.

Awan denies the attempted murder of Pc Rathband, one charge of conspiracy to murder, one charge of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and one of robbing a fish shop.

The trial continues.