This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/10615302.stm
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Moat case Tasers 'not approved' | Moat case Tasers 'not approved' |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The Taser stun guns used by officers attempting to stop gunman Raoul Moat from killing himself did not have Home Office approval, it has emerged. | The Taser stun guns used by officers attempting to stop gunman Raoul Moat from killing himself did not have Home Office approval, it has emerged. |
| An inquest into the 37-year-old's death heard two officers from West Yorkshire police fired the stun guns at him. | An inquest into the 37-year-old's death heard two officers from West Yorkshire police fired the stun guns at him. |
| The XREP Tasers used are still undergoing tests however the government has said forces have discretion to use any equipment they deem necessary. | The XREP Tasers used are still undergoing tests however the government has said forces have discretion to use any equipment they deem necessary. |
| Moat died after a six-hour stand-off in Rothbury, Northumberland, on Saturday. | Moat died after a six-hour stand-off in Rothbury, Northumberland, on Saturday. |
| Details of the use of the Tasers were revealed during the opening of the inquest into Moat's death. The inquest was later adjourned. | Details of the use of the Tasers were revealed during the opening of the inquest into Moat's death. The inquest was later adjourned. |
| Newcastle coroner David Mitford said Moat died as a result of a gunshot wound to the head. | Newcastle coroner David Mitford said Moat died as a result of a gunshot wound to the head. |
| Code of practice | Code of practice |
| The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said in a statement that officers had used a long range XREP Taser - which has a range of about 100ft and operates without wires. | The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said in a statement that officers had used a long range XREP Taser - which has a range of about 100ft and operates without wires. |
| A Home Office spokesman said the XREP Tasers were "currently subject to testing by the HOSDB (Home Office Scientific Development Branch)". | A Home Office spokesman said the XREP Tasers were "currently subject to testing by the HOSDB (Home Office Scientific Development Branch)". |
| He added: "However, legally, police forces have discretion to use any equipment they see fit as long as the use of force is lawful, reasonable and proportionate. | He added: "However, legally, police forces have discretion to use any equipment they see fit as long as the use of force is lawful, reasonable and proportionate. |
| "The process for approval of less lethal weapons is set out in a Home Office code of practice document on police use of firearms which chief constables must 'have regard to'." | "The process for approval of less lethal weapons is set out in a Home Office code of practice document on police use of firearms which chief constables must 'have regard to'." |
| Police forensic officers at the scene of the stand-off in Rothbury | Police forensic officers at the scene of the stand-off in Rothbury |
| It is not clear whether the Tasers were fired before or after Moat apparently shot himself, Independent Police Complaints Commission investigator Steve Reynolds told the hearing at Newcastle Civic Centre. | It is not clear whether the Tasers were fired before or after Moat apparently shot himself, Independent Police Complaints Commission investigator Steve Reynolds told the hearing at Newcastle Civic Centre. |
| He said: "At 1.12am Mr Moat's shotgun discharged, resulting in him receiving fatal injuries. | He said: "At 1.12am Mr Moat's shotgun discharged, resulting in him receiving fatal injuries. |
| "At some point around the time of the fatal shot two West Yorkshire firearms officers armed with Tasers discharged their weapons at Mr Moat. | "At some point around the time of the fatal shot two West Yorkshire firearms officers armed with Tasers discharged their weapons at Mr Moat. |
| "This was understood to have been in an effort to prevent Mr Moat taking his own life." | "This was understood to have been in an effort to prevent Mr Moat taking his own life." |
| The hunt for Moat began on 3 July after he was suspected of shooting his ex-girlfriend Samantha Stobbart, and murdering her partner, Chris Brown, in Birtley, near Gateshead. | The hunt for Moat began on 3 July after he was suspected of shooting his ex-girlfriend Samantha Stobbart, and murdering her partner, Chris Brown, in Birtley, near Gateshead. |
| 'Extraordinarily disappointing' | 'Extraordinarily disappointing' |
| Pc David Rathband was shot the following day in East Denton as he sat in his patrol car. | Pc David Rathband was shot the following day in East Denton as he sat in his patrol car. |
| After a week on the run Moat was discovered armed on the riverbank at about 1900 BST on Friday and negotiators were brought in to speak to him. | After a week on the run Moat was discovered armed on the riverbank at about 1900 BST on Friday and negotiators were brought in to speak to him. |
| Moat was pronounced dead in hospital at 0220 BST. | Moat was pronounced dead in hospital at 0220 BST. |
| In a separate development, three further men were arrested on Tyneside earlier on suspicion of assisting an offender. | In a separate development, three further men were arrested on Tyneside earlier on suspicion of assisting an offender. |
| Two were arrested in Gateshead and one in Newcastle, bringing the total number arrested in connection with the inquiry to 10. | Two were arrested in Gateshead and one in Newcastle, bringing the total number arrested in connection with the inquiry to 10. |
| Four men and a woman arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender have been bailed. | Four men and a woman arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender have been bailed. |
| Two other men have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder and possessing a firearm with intent. | Two other men have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder and possessing a firearm with intent. |
| Meanwhile Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson has criticised tributes which have been paid to Moat. | Meanwhile Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson has criticised tributes which have been paid to Moat. |
| Flowers and cards have been left at the scene of Moat's death and outside his home in Fenham, Newcastle, while almost 17,000 people have joined a Facebook group called RIP Raoul Moat You Legend. | Flowers and cards have been left at the scene of Moat's death and outside his home in Fenham, Newcastle, while almost 17,000 people have joined a Facebook group called RIP Raoul Moat You Legend. |
| One of the cards in Fenham read: "A good mate, a good dad, good at school, well-mannered, hard-working businessman. That's the real Raoul Moat." | One of the cards in Fenham read: "A good mate, a good dad, good at school, well-mannered, hard-working businessman. That's the real Raoul Moat." |
| Sir Paul said the tributes were "extraordinarily disappointing". | Sir Paul said the tributes were "extraordinarily disappointing". |