Woman arrested over 'bang' remark to Pc blinded by Moat
A woman has been arrested for allegedly standing behind a policeman blinded by Raoul Moat and saying "bang, bang".
The comment was made on Wednesday as Pc David Rathband arrived at Newcastle Crown Court for the trial of two men accused of helping Moat last July.
Police said a 22-year-old was held for a public order offence.
Qhuram Awan, 23 and Karl Ness, 26, deny aiding Moat, who killed the boyfriend of his ex-partner and went on to shoot Pc Rathband before killing himself.
Police said a woman was arrested on the fourth floor concourse inside the court building and was led outside in handcuffs by three uniformed officers.
Pc Rathband has been in court most days since giving his prosecution evidence in the trial of Mr Awan and Mr Ness.
The pair deny conspiracy to murder, attempted murder, a firearms offence and robbery.
Moat shot and killed Chris Brown, 29, the new boyfriend of his former girlfriend, Samantha Stobbart, 22, whom he also shot during the attack in Gateshead.
He went on to shoot Pc David Rathband, blinding him, before going on the run.
Mr Awan was arrested when he and Moat's former business partner Mr Ness were spotted by a police helicopter looking for Moat in Rothbury.
The gunman was on the run for a further three days before killing himself on 10 July following a six-hour stand-off with police in Rothbury.
Mr Awan, of Blyth, Northumberland, denies the attempted murder of Pc Rathband, one charge of conspiracy to murder, one charge of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and one of robbing a shop.
Mr Ness, of Brookside in Dudley, North Tyneside, denies the murder of Mr Brown, attempting to murder Pc Rathband, one charge of conspiracy to murder, one charge of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and one of robbing a shop.
The trial continues.