Mechanic feared he and family would be 'executed' by shotgun killer Raoul Moat

A MECHANIC said he feared he and his family would be "executed" if he did not go along with shotgun killer Raoul Moat's violent rampage.

Qhuram Awan drove the getaway car from the A1 roundabout where Moat shot and blinded an unarmed police officer and to and from the former doorman's woodland hideout.

The 23-year-old has denied being Moat's "willing accomplice", and claims he was too afraid to turn over the murderer to police despite having several opportunities to do so.

Awan told a Newcastle Crown Court jury he never met Moat until the night of the Birtley shootings. Moat had fled to a house in Newcastle after shooting his ex-girlfriend Samantha Stobbart and killing her new partner Chris Brown.

He was holding a sawn off shotgun to the girlfriend of his former business partner Karl Ness, and told Awan: "You're with me now."

Awan, speaking softly and wearing a beige suit and blue shirt, yesterday told the court Moat said: "If you run off your family gets it, or if you do anything stupid."

Awan and Ness, 26, of Dudley, Gateshead, deny conspiracy to murder, the attempted murder of PC David Rathband, a firearms offence and robbery of a Northumberland fish and chip shop. Ness also denies the murder of Chris Brown.

Moat killed himself after going on the run following a stand off with police in Rothbury, Northumberland.

The trial continues.