Gunman driven to edge over fears for children

THE MAN wanted over three shootings was driven to the edge by fears he would lose his three children, a friend claimed last night.

Raoul Thomas Moat's relationship with his children is certainly at the centre of events, with Detective Chief Superintendent Neil Adamson saying he knew he was concerned for their future well-being.

"For their sake, this has to stop now," he said appealing directly to him. "These are not the memories that your children need to have of their father. Enough people have been hurt. You need to make contact with us now."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Meanwhile the family of his ex-partner Samantha Stobbart, 22, have been warned she might not survive.

Police said both Miss Stobbart and Chris Brown, who was killed, were shot with a "shotgun-type weapon",

Her half-sister Kelly Stobbart, 27, said: "We don't think she'll make it.

"She's been shot in the chest and stomach, her body's been ripped apart. She is on a life-support machine and is critical. The hospital have told us to expect the worst."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Lee Burdis, Miss Stobbart's half brother, said he hoped she would pull through and said he had met Moat quite often during his six year on-off relationship with Miss Stobbart, a trainee hairdresser with a three-year-old daughter, Chanel.

"We were actually quite close," he said, "well, I wouldn't say we had close ties but we saw each other a few times.

"He seemed all right at the time but he was a big lad and he does look quite dangerous and could be quite dangerous.

"He's a big lad and he's got a violent past. I know that for a fact because he's threatened to take me round the back of a car before."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As a picture of his violent past emerged it was revealed that in 2003, the nightclub bouncer was accused of threatening council staff after his daughter, Chantelle, fell out of an unsecured window at home.

But he denied being aggressive, telling reporters at the time: "In my line of work you lose your job if you're abusive or lash out, so you learn how to control your temper."

Mr Adamson said he felt "anxious" given Moat's behaviour to date.

"There are potential issues for the force, and we are dealing with those as we speak," he said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

One of Moat's friend's, Lana Potts, wrote on Facebook that she predicted he would "take is own life b4 they get im".

Temporary Chief Constable Sue Sim said all the force's armed officers were deployed on the case, and firearms officers were coming to support from other forces as well.

She also said the family of the police officer who had been shot were at his bedside. Despite being seriously injured, Pc Rathband has managed to provide colleagues with extremely valuable information.

Neighbours close to the scene of the shootings in Birtley, Gateshead saw Mr Brown lying on a grassy area outside opposite the house that had been targeted.

One eye-witness told how she watched the gunman open fire.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mary Hall, 63, a neighbour living close to the scene, said: "The man shot through the window and shot the girl. I saw a figure of a man with a handgun."

Mrs Hall said a woman in the house was screaming, apparently on the telephone to the police.

Another local resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "I didn't see it happen but I heard a few loud bangs that must have been gunshots.

"There was a police helicopter hovering around for a long time. It's a really quiet area, it's residential you know, so it's a total shock."

Mr Adamson urged anyone who could help the inquiry to call 03456 043043 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Related topics: