Raoul Moat killing spree 'like a video game' court hears

A man accused of helping Raoul Moat likened being with the killer to playing a violent video game.

Qhuram Awan told a Newcastle Crown Court jury he felt as though he was trapped in a cross between Grand Theft Auto and a Bourne Identity film.

In notes he jotted to himself during Moat's rampage in July, Awan said: "It's all getting too much now.

"It's like a cross between GTA and Jason Bourne."

In the notes, which he entitled "Diary of a hostage", he continued: "I know it sounds horrible but it is a game about a man on a mission.

"You're going round shooting people and stealing cars."

Awan, 23, has admitted driving Moat from the A1 roundabout where the gunman shot and blinded unarmed Pc David Rathband.

He said he had played along with Moat because he was too afraid to turn him over to the police.

Awan said he feared for his life after Moat made threats against his family, and told him: "You're with me now."

The part-time mechanic, of Blyth, Northumberland, waved to a police helicopter moments before he and Karl Ness, 26, were caught by armed officers hunting for the on-the-run gunman in Rothbury.

He told the court of his relief upon being arrested, and his belief that he would be released to see his family immediately after being interviewed.

Instead, Awan was remanded in custody and is on trial for conspiracy to murder, the attempted murder of Pc Rathband, a firearms offence and the robbery of a Northumberland fish and chip shop.

The court heard how Awan telephoned Moat in Rothbury to warn him police were closing in.

Moat ordered him to destroy the evidence of their woodland hideout and to "make his way down river".

Awan told the court this was the moment he realised he was free of the fugitive.

He said: "(Ness and I) were going in the other direction to Raoul when I first saw the police helicopter.

"It was just a dot in the sky but I started waving my arms for it to come and get us.

"I assumed the helicopter had seen us so sooner or later a police car would come and pick us up."

He said: "I thought I was going to get arrested and then give my account and then I'd be back with my family."

The court heard Awan had a medical condition which required him to take blood thinning medication for a clot between his heart and lung.

When he told Moat he needed his medication he was told: "That's your problem."

Awan and Ness, of Dudley, Gateshead, deny conspiracy to murder, the attempted murder of Pc Rathband, a firearms offence and robbery of a Northumberland fish and chip shop.

Ness also denies the murder of karate instructor Chris Brown.

Moat killed himself after going on the run following a stand off with police in Rothbury, Northumberland.

The trial continues.