[King Gizzard]

Policeman shot and blinded by Raoul Moat found dead in home

Northumbria police say PC David Rathband pronounced dead at scene after they were called to house in Blyth

PC David Rathband, the police officer shot and blinded by Raoul Moat, has been found dead in his home.

Northumbria police said they attended his house in the Northumberland town of Blyth following "concerns for his welfare", but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The circumstances of his death remain unclear and a police investigation is under way.

A force spokesman said: "Around 7pm tonight, Wednesday February 29, officers received a report of concerns for the welfare of PC David Rathband at his home in Blyth.

"Officers attended alongside the ambulance service and PC Rathband was found inside. He was declared dead at the scene.

"A police investigation is under way and officers are in the process of informing the family."

The coroner has also been informed of the death, he added.

Rathband, a father of two teenagers who joined Northumbria police in 2000, was blinded in both eyes when he was shot at close range during the manhunt for Moat on 4 July 2010.

The gunman had shot and injured his ex-partner Samantha Stobbart and killed her new boyfriend, Chris Brown. He was pursued by police for six days before eventually killing himself.

Rathband said afterwards he bore Moat no ill will and in July last year was presented with a police bravery award in London.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/ma...oat-found-dead