Children 'hid in attic' during Raoul Moat shootings

Samantha Stobbart had been in a six-year relationship with Moat

A jury has been told how two children were hidden in an attic when gunman Raoul Moat turned up to confront his former girlfriend and her new partner.

Lesley Stobbart told Newcastle Crown Court she fled with the youngsters when Moat, 37, shot at her daughter Samantha and killed her boyfriend Chris Brown.

Moat went on to shoot and blind Pc David Rathband last July.

Mrs Stobbart was giving evidence at the trial of two men accused of helping Moat, who later shot himself.

Karl Ness, 26, of of Brookside in Dudley, North Tyneside, denies the murder of Mr Brown, attempting to murder Pc Rathband, one charge of conspiracy to murder, one charge of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and one of robbing a shop.

Qhuram Awan, 23, of Rowley Street in Blyth, Northumberland, denies the attempted murder of Pc Rathband, one charge of conspiracy to murder, one charge of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and one of robbing a shop.

Mrs Stobbart said she was at the house in Gateshead when Moat, armed with a sawn-off double-barrelled shotgun, began shooting.

She watched from an attic window as Moat gunned down karate instructor Chris Brown, 29, then turned the weapon her 22-year-old daughter, leaving her critically injured.

Moat went on the run after killing Chris Brown

It was not until the former doorman ran from the murder scene that Mrs Stobbart realised her daughter had been hurt.

Moat, who had been in a six-year relationship with Samantha Stobbart and was released from Durham Prison two days before the shootings.

Mrs Stobbart told the court: "I ran upstairs to get the children. I put them in the attic and I told them not to come out no matter what they did.

"I could see Chris lying on the grass. Then Raoul shot him again.

"I did not know Samantha had been shot at the time. I went down to see where everyone was and she was lying on the floor."

Under cross-examination earlier, Samantha Stobbart said she had been terrified Moat would "flip his lid" when he was released from prison.

She had said her new boyfriend was a police officer in an attempt to ward off trouble.

On the night of the murder, she said she had urged Mr Brown to spend the night at his own flat, knowing Moat was seeking a confrontation.

But Mr Brown opted to remain at the house in Gateshead.

She said she told Moat their relationship was over, but that he "would not take no for an answer".

The trial continues.