Yorkshire officers fired new Taser gun at fugitive

The officers, both constables, used the weapons at around the time Moat shot himself, but it is not clear whether they were fired before or after he turned his gun on himself, Independent Police Complaints Commission investigator Steve Reynolds told the hearing in Newcastle.

During the stand-off, police were armed with the Taser XREP, a weapon still undergoing testing.

Yesterday after the hearing the Home Office confirmed it was not approved for use by forces in England and Wales, but forces had the right to use it.

A spokesman said: "It is currently subject to testing by the Home Office Scientific Development Branch. However, legally, police forces have discretion to use any equipment they see fit as long as the use of force is lawful, reasonable and proportionate."

Mr Reynolds said that at 7.25pm on Friday a member of the public saw Moat, a former nightclub doorman, at the Riverside park area in Rothbury, Northumberland, and called police.

"Armed police contained Mr Moat and negotiators were deployed to achieve a peaceful outcome," Mr Reynolds told the hearing.

"He was in possession of a sawn-off shotgun, which he had pointed at his head."

Mr Reynolds said the matter had been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) by Northumbria Police.

He would be focusing his investigation on the final hours of Moat's life – from when he was first spotted until he was formally declared dead in hospital at 2.22am the following day – and looking at the tactics the police used.

Mr Reynolds said he would also be investigating how police had handled intelligence from Durham Prison warning that Moat would harm his ex-partner, Samantha Stobbart who he later shot.

Newcastle Coroner David Mitford said at the inquest that the preliminary cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head.

Moat was formally identified by his uncle, Charlie Alexander.

No family members attended as the coroner opened and adjourned the hearing until a later date.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said yesterday: "There has been a lot of speculation concerning the incident and we are providing every possible assistance to the IPCC investigation so that they can establish the facts. The officers have not been suspended from firearms duties and are now back at work in West Yorkshire."

Yesterday the mother of Ms Stobbart's partner Chris Brown, 29, who was shot dead by Moat, also described her son as a "real live wire" who lived life to the full.

Mr Brown had only recently moved to Gateshead from Slough to take up a job as a karate instructor and his family have criticised police for not protecting him following the prison warning.

His mother Sally Brown said: "Christopher was the sort of person who was a live wire and never sat still.

"He believed in living life to the full and having fun.

"He joked about everything and lived for the moment. He found mental and physical strength and friends in karate. He passed this on to the people he taught.

"The kids around his home in Slough loved him and he respected people whatever their colour or creed.

"Christopher had the 'gift of the gab' and always had a smile on his face. He was very protective and if someone needed help, Christopher was always there and could be depended on 100 per cent.

"He wasn't perfect, but then who really is?"

Mr Brown's sister, Beckie Njie, said: "I feel broken, Moat has killed not only my brother who I loved very much, but has killed a part of me.

"I don't feel complete, I feel as though someone has cut off my arm.

"I can't see how I can feel any better. People say time is a healer, but I can't see that yet. I feel lost, I feel like it's not real.

"I can't believe we are all in this situation as a family.

"I couldn't ever imagine feeling this bad in my life, I could never imagine this pain and hurt."