David Rathband family take Northumbria Police to court
A court date has been set for a legal dispute between the family of PC David Rathband, who was shot and blinded by Raoul Moat, and Northumbria Police.
Five years ago Mr Rathband was shot twice by the gunman, who had declared war on police minutes before. His family claims the force should have done more to alert PC Rathband to the danger posed by Moat. Northumbria Police said it would not comment on the case ahead of the court date. PC Rathband survived the 2010 attack, but was blinded in both eyes. He took his own life in 2012. At a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court, a date of 12 January was agreed between the representatives from the family and the force. Earlier this year, on the anniversary of Moat's rampage, PC Rathband's twin brother Darren said they were still "fighting for acknowledgement that David was let down". Raoul Moat shot dead Chris Brown, the 29-year-old boyfriend of Moat's former partner Samantha Stobbart on 3 July 2010 in Birtley, Gateshead. He then shot her twice before fleeing, and hours later attacked PC Rathband as the officer sat in his patrol car. Northumbria Police led a huge manhunt for Moat and eventually cornered him in Rothbury in Northumberland on 9 July. After a six-hour stand off Moat killed himself. Related Internet Links Blue Lamp Foundation Northumbria Police HM Courts and Tribunals Service