Raoul Moat: Ten questions about the case
A Angus Moat was told police were concerned any contact with family might unlock painful memories and exacerbate the situation.
Q Why was he shot twice with Tasers?
A It MAY have been that Moat's behaviour indicated an increasing risk of suicide.
Q How was Moat able to evade the police for a week?
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdA He IS believed to have been hiding in a storm drain that led to a network of tunnels beneath Rothbury. Locals insist police were seen examining the drains. Northumbria Police has refused to comment.
Q Did Moat have a second gun?
A Police believe there is intelligence to suggest he had more than one weapon and so are searching the area.
Q Was Raoul Moat a police informer?
A There were reports yesterday that Moat, who had been arrested 12 times, was able to avoid being charged as he was a police informer. Northumbria Police will neither confirm nor deny the allegation.
Q Why was Raoul Moat released if he was viewed as a danger to his girlfriend?
A Durham Prison reported their fears to Northumbria Police but had no legal authority to detain him after he had completed his sentence.
Q What mistakes were made by the Northumbria Police?
A They appeared not to have acted on the warning by Durham Prison. They failed to keep a watch on the house of Andy McAllister, a close friend of Moat, and so missed him when he returned to hand over a 49-page statement. They described him as "nutter" during a press conference and then had to apologise after Moat threatened to kill members of the public if "inaccurate information" was published.
Q Will any heads roll over the handling of the case?
A It depends, in part on the conclusions of the Independent Police Complaints Commission inquiry. There will also be an inquest.