Killer on the run in UK: Raoul Moat: Negotiations end in death

UK news has been full of Raoul Moat in recent days.

Mr Moat was released from Durham prison on Thursday 1st July 2010. Just prior to his release, after serving an 18 month jail sentence for assaulting a family member, Mr Moat was telling all and sundry what he would be doing when he was released. It appears that Mr Moat blamed the loss of his girlfriend and the fact that his life was now ruined on his ex girlfriend Samantha's new partner.

It is claimed that, in June, Samantha told Raoul that their relationship of six years was over. Raoul believed that Samantha's new boyfriend was a police officer.

On Friday 2nd July Durham prison officers called Northumbria police to inform them that they believed Miss Stobbart's life was in danger.

Within a short time of his release, on Saturday 3rd July 2010, Mr Moat had killed his ex girlfriend's lover and seriously injured his ex girlfriend, Samantha. He then went on to shoot and critically injure a police officer.

Unusually, and at the injured police officer's request, graphic images of the injuries sustained by the boyfriend were shown on UK TV news. It was hoped that this would encourage people who may have known the whereabouts of Mr Moat to come forward.

The 6th July has had reports of a hostage situation in Northumbria where these events have been taking place. Armed police have been responding to hostage claims. It now appears that the two would be hostages may be accomplices.

These events are not long after those in Cumbria, when Derrick Bird went on a shooting spree. In fact it is the same part of the world. Yet again it seems that police efforts to capture the perpetrator have been thwarted.

Raoul Moat is an ex club bouncer who is into body building. At 6 foot 3 inches tall and weighting around 17 stone he is a formidable character.The public have been warned against approaching him at any time.

This case has thrown up all the usual can's of worms.

How come Raoul Moat has not yet been apprehended? Why was no action taken regarding his prison threats? Where is he now? Will he kill again? Who is on his hit list?

Mr Moat has claimed that he has an agenda. Today's reports have said that he has posted a hit list on Facebook. Facebook also actually has a page which appears to be aimed at catching Raoul Moat or at least slandering him.

My thoughts go out to all the families concerned. The police have been gradually releasing information on this case including details of Mar Moat's hit list.

Let's hope some sense prevails before further crimes are committed.

Anyone with information should call 03456 043043 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Updates

Wednesday 7th July 2010, police have offered a £10,000 reward.

It has been revealed that Samantha had told Mr Moat that her new boyfriend was a policeman in an attempt to scare him off. Mr Moat's relationship with Samantha had been a violent one.

Friday 9th July saw a dramatic end to the killer's rampage.

He was spotted in the town of Rothbury, where it was believed all along that he was hiding. It is now believed that perhaps he was outwitting the police by residing in a long underground tunnel which runs the length of Rothbury.

A rush of police ended with Mr Moat in a stand off with the police for around 6 hours.

Throughout this time Mr Moat held a sawn off shotgun to his head. At times he sat, other times he stood or laid down, but he never let go of the weapon.

The negotiations took on a bizarre twist when ex England footballer Paul Gascoigne turned up at the police line. Paul claimed to be a friend of Mr Moat. Paul's voice was slurred and he appeared to be drunk. His talking was edited out by TV units.

Another friend was used by the police to try to talk Mr Moat into surrendering.

A massive armed police response was present throughout the six hours.

Ultimately Mr Moat shot himself at least once. He did not die instantly but was taken to a local hospital gravely injured. He was dead on arrival.

Latest reports on 19th July have revealed that a taser gun was used in the final stages of this siege. It seems unclear if this prompted an involuntary action by Mr Moat, ie shooting himself. A report has been filed with the police authority for investigation.