Officer Recounts Discovery of Murdered Man by Raoul Moat

PC Lee Gosling, a firearms officer, described the gruesome scene where he found the lifeless body of Chris Brown, shot and killed by the fugitive gunman Raoul Moat. The officer's testimony marked a pivotal moment in the trial of Karl Ness and Qhuram Awan, who are accused of helping Moat in his violent rampage. As the court heard, Moat had opened fire on the couple, armed with a shotgun, after they left a friend's house. Brown had grabbed a metal bar for protection, but it did little to save him.

Key Takeaways:

• PC Lee Gosling testified that he saw a lifeless male on the grass with wounds consistent with a gunshot to the head and blood on the torso.
• The victim, Chris Brown, was holding a pole or metal bar clutched in one of his hands when he was found.
• Karl Ness and Qhuram Awan are accused of being willing accomplices to Raoul Moat during his shooting spree.
• Moat is alleged to have shot and killed his ex-girlfriend Samantha Stobbart and executed her new partner Chris Brown before attacking PC David Rathband.
• The defendants deny conspiracy to murder, the attempted murder of PC David Rathband, a firearms offense, and the robbery of a fish and chip shop.
• The trial continues, with Ness denying the murder of Chris Brown.

Statistics:

• July 3: The date when the police officer discovered the lifeless body of Chris Brown.
• 2:30 am: The time when the police officer arrived at the scene.
• 26 years old: The age of Karl Ness, one of the defendants.
• 23 years old: The age of Qhuram Awan, the other defendant.
• 3: The number of shots fired by Moat, allegedly wounding PC David Rathband and blinding him.

Sources:

• Newcastle Crown Court
• BBC News
• The Sun