Taser ‘had no effect’ on killer Moat

THE police officers who fired Tasers at cornered killer Raoul Moat said that one missed and the other had no effect.

The wanted murderer had told police negotiators “this is all going to end in this field tonight”, an inquest jury at Newcastle Crown Court heard yesterday.

Two West Yorkshire Police firearms officers – identified in court as Zulu 24 and Victor 24 – used experimental X12 shotgun Tasers on Moat after he appeared to prepare to kill himself.

They had been called to the grassy area by the River Coquet in Rothbury, Northumberland, to relieve other armed officers.

A huge manhunt had been launched after Moat shot his ex-girlfriend, Sam Stobbart, murdered her new boyfriend, Chris Brown, 29, and later blinded PC David Rathband.

The officers said the tone of negotiations became “sinister”.

Moat shuffled his feet and in a swift movement brought the gun from under his chin and pointed it at his temple, the officer said.

Zulu 24, who was aiming an X12 shotgun at Moat’s chest, fired. He said: “Moat let out a noise as if he had been struck by something. I don’t think it had any effect.”

The inquest, which was adjourned until today, heard it was the first time the officers had seen the X12 and they had never fired one before.