Court Finds Moats Henchmen Guilty

Two men are facing jail after being convicted of helping gunman Raoul Moat during his murderous rampage in Northumberland.

Karl Ness and Qhuram Awan conspired with Moat before, during and after he shot three people, killing one and seriously injuring the others.

The jury at Newcastle Crown Court convicted Ness of murder, and both defendants of conspiracy to murder, attempted murder and robbery.

Ness was also convicted of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Awan was cleared of that charge.

Pc David Rathband, who was left blinded when Moat shot him in the face, hugged his sobbing wife Kath in the public gallery as the verdicts were delivered.

Ness, 26, of Dudley, North Tyneside, was with steroid addict Moat on the night he calmly executed karate expert Chris Brown, 29.

Mr Brown's mother Sally was also in tears as the verdicts were delivered.

Both defendants appeared to collapse when they learned their fate and held their heads in the hands for several minutes.

The men claimed they were held hostage by Moat, who killed himself during a stand-off with police in Rothbury.

Sentencing was adjourned until Tuesday.