a sad end, R.i.p david Rathband

[lozz]

The policeman who was shot and blinded by crazed gunman Raoul Moat has been found dead at his home in a suspected suicide.

The body of Pc David Rathband was discovered in Blyth, Northumberland, on Wednesday night after officers received a report of concern for his welfare. A Northumbria Police spokesman said no-one was being sought in connection with the incident.

The 44-year-old father-of-two lost his sight and was fitted with prosthetic eyes after being shot at close range in July 2010 during the manhunt for fugitive Moat.

Paying tribute, Chief Constable Sue Sim said she was "deeply saddened" by the death of Pc Rathband, a "dedicated officer" who showed "outstanding bravery in what was a terrifying situation".

Former bouncer Moat was the subject of a huge manhunt as he evaded capture for a week before shooting himself dead after a stand-off with police in the market town of Rothbury, Northumberland. On July 3 2010, he had shot and injured his former partner Samantha Stobbart, 22, and killed her new boyfriend, Chris Brown, 29.

The following day, after declaring he was now "hunting for officers", Moat crept up on armed Pc Rathband as he sat in his marked police car at a roundabout above the A1. Pc Rathband was shot in the face and shoulder but saved his own life by pretending to be dead. He was left with more than 200 shotgun pellets lodged in his skull.

Prime Minister David Cameron paid tribute to Pc David Rathband, describing him as an "extraordinarily brave man". Mr Cameron said it was important that those injured while serving in the line of duty get the care they need, adding: "I feel desperately sorry for his family."

After the attack, the policeman launched his own charity, the Blue Lamp Foundation, which aims to help emergency service personnel injured in the line of duty. Pc Rathband announced on Twitter in November that he and his wife Kath were separating permanently.

A spokesman for the Blue Lamp Foundation said: "Since being shot in July 2010, David struggled to come to terms with his horrific injuries and the traumatic effect they had on him and his family and friends. The foundation was started by David to help emergency services personnel injured in the line of duty as the result of a criminal act. It was David's wish that those who found themselves in a similar position to him could receive the support that wasn't available to him at the time."

Former Scotland Yard commander John O'Connor said the consequences of Pc Rathband's injuries had been "too much for him to live with", adding on ITV's Daybreak: "No amount of counselling or compensation can give you back what you've lost and that's the bottom line of it."

[Welly]

Bloody hell what a bastard

[highlander]

Can't believe how many people were touting Moat as a "local hero"; there's no excuse in the world for what he did. Whether Moat got tazered illegally or not, I reckon he'd have still shot himself anyway, in the end, even if no tazers were involved.

I don't know how I'd cope with being blinded myself; personally I think I'd have rather died than survive without my eyesight if I'd been in PC Rathband's position. Personally I don't blame him for ending his own life, but I send my sincerest condolences to his family for their loss (seriously - no disrespect intended).

[Welly]

I suppose even with the best will in the world; eventually once everyone has gone back to their daily lives and there's less and less medical care/rehab needed you are going to be sat at home, blind, lonely, depressed, angry, all sorts.....

[trem1]

First RIP David Rathband

Secondly in my opinion David effectively died when Moat shot him, it just took him longer to die.
Had he died in his car his life-insurance etc would have paid out and he would rightly be deemed a hero to both the nation and his family.
Sadly tho he didnt and because of that he split with his wife after apparently hitting her whilst the children were in the house,
He was living in a flat in Blyth and for reason's unknown decided he could take no more, so i suspect because he commited suicide any insurances wont pay out !!! His wife has still lost a husband his children there father all at the hands of Moat.


Moat a hero.......I DONT THINK SO, Just a bloated steroid taking lunatic

[lozz]

well said trem,

thats all spot on mate,


never hear of raul moats ex getting any flack tho,
that Bitch fecked his head up, not an excuse for what he did tho,

ithink given chance moat wouid of took more coppers out,
something dodgey there what the coppers did but ithink id of done the same if someone did that to one of my mates.
they treat each other like brothers,

[plod]

I concur, well said Trem1