Raoul Moat 'giggled after shooting Pc'

Shotgun killer Raoul Moat giggled after blasting unarmed Pc David Rathband during his bloody rampage, a court heard today.

The former doorman left the married father-of-two blind after shooting him in the shoulder and face from point-blank range.

He said "I don't think he's dead", before being driven from the scene screaming "Go, go, go", still carrying his smoking gun, Newcastle Crown Court was told.

Moat, 37, was on the run from police, having shot and seriously injured his ex-girlfriend, Samantha Stobbart, and executed her new partner, Chris Brown, less than 24 hours earlier.

Moat's friend, Karl Ness, said he was terrified he would be the next victim after his former business partner turned into "a monster" following the shootings in July.

The 26-year-old denies the prosecution claim that he was a "willing accomplice" of the shotgun killer.

Giving evidence, he told the jury that he had been too frightened to run away when Moat headed for Pc Rathband's patrol car, which was parked on an A1 roundabout in the west of Newcastle.

He said he feared the worst when the gunman jumped from the black Lexus sports car driven by his co-accused, Qhuram Awan, at shortly after midnight on July 3.

He told the court: "I thought he was out to get a policeman. I said 'This is crazy'.

"I did not do anything because I did not think it was safe to get away.

"We were on the motorway and there was nowhere to run.

"I thought if I ran he would get us, or get my mam.

"He had all the telephones so I could not make a call.

"I saw Raoul run to the top of the sliproad and turn right.

"He disappeared behind a concrete barrier. Then I heard a bang, and about two seconds later another one.

"Then I seen Raoul come sprinting back down.

"He ran round the side of the car and jumped into the back seat, and shouted 'Go, go, go.'

"I just froze.

"There was a big burning smell.

"Raoul had a nervous giggle. He said 'I don't think he's dead.'

"I never said a word. I was scared."

The three men then drove north on the A1.