Two men to face trial over Moat shootings

Karl Ness, 26, and Qhuram Awan, 23, are accused of helping the former bouncer target police officers.

They appeared before Newcastle Crown Court via videolink from prison yesterday. They also face a charge of possessing a firearm with intent.

During a brief hearing, the pair were told they would face trial next year before a High Court judge, with a provisional date set for 24 January. A plea and case management hearing was fixed for the week beginning 1 November. No pleas were entered and the judge remanded them both in custody until their next court appearance.

Prosecutor Kingsley Hyland asked for a provisional four-week trial and added: "There is a real possibility of further defendants being charged."

It is alleged Ness was with Moat when he injured his ex-girlfriend Samantha Stobbart in Gateshead and shot dead her new boyfriend, Chris Brown.

Both defendants were allegedly present when PC David Rathband was blasted in the face and shoulder the next day.

The pair are accused of obtaining a sawn-off shotgun for Moat before he was released from prison, and providing supplies while he was on the run for a week.

Moat hid in Rothbury, Northumberland, for a week before he died after a stand-off with police by the River Coquet.

Ness, of Dudley, North Tyneside, and Awan, of Blyth, Northumberland, were arrested in the small town four days before Britain's most wanted man was discovered.

PC Rathband, who was left blind after Moat shot him in his patrol car, returned home to his family on Wednesday. He needed 17 days of hospital treatment.

The 42-year-old officer said he was on the mend. "It's going to be very difficult and I'm devastated," he said. "But I'm not going to dwell on it."