Two men in court accused of helping rampage gunman Raoul Moat

Two men accused of helping shotgun killer Raoul Moat during his rampage will go on trial today.

Karl Ness, 26, and Qhuram Awan, 23, are charged with the attempted murder of Pc David Rathband who was shot and blinded by the crazed fugitive.

The pair, who were arrested in Rothbury, Northumberland, days before Moat shot himself following a stand-off with police, will be tried at Newcastle Crown Court.

Ness denies a charge of murdering Chris Brown, the boyfriend of Moat's ex-girlfriend Samantha Stobbart who was shot dead on their doorstep. He also denies attempting to murder Pc Rathband, two charges of conspiracy to murder, one charge of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and one of robbing a fish shop.

Awan 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 fish shop.

Ness, of Brookside, Dudley, North Tyneside, and Awan, of Rowley Street, Blyth, North Tyneside, entered not guilty pleas at a hearing earlier this month.