Accused men ‘part and parcel of gunman’s plan to shoot police’

Two men were today accused of helping fugitive gunman Raoul Moat.

Karl Ness, 26, and Qhuram Awan, 23, who were held on Tuesday, have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder and possessing a firearm with intent. They appeared in court today where it was alleged that Ness was with Moat when he shot his former girlfriend Samantha Stobbart and killed her new partner Chris Brown at the weekend.

Ness and Awan were detained by armed police after they were found walking along a road in Rothbury. Stocky, bearded Ness, from Dudley in North Tyneside, and Awan, from Blyth in Northumberland, who is shorter and sported stubble, were remanded in custody when they appeared at Newcastle magistrates' court.

It was alleged that they were with him when Pc David Rathband was shot in Newcastle early on Sunday.

Both men have indicated they will deny the charge, the court heard.