THE shooting of two police officers in a North-East town 90 years ago will be remembered at a service this weekend.

PC George Mussell and Sergeant Andrew Barton were killed while on duty in 1913 at a pub in Bedlington, Northumberland - a crime that shocked the region and led to the hanging of the murderer.

The killer was John Vickers Amos, licensee of the Sun Inn. A well-known figure, Amos was also a poor book-keeper.

On April 6, 1913, the pub's owner noticed £45 was missing. Nine days later, a heated argument over the money led to police being called.

PC Mussell, 32, was sent to resolve the matter. Although he was meant to be off duty, he was doing an extra shift as a favour to a colleague.

At the pub, the disturbance escalated and Amos produced a shotgun and shot PC Mussell twice. Sergeant Andrew Barton, on patrol nearby, heard the shots and rushed to the scene.

Sgt Barton knew Amos and tried to reason with him, but was shot twice. Both officers died from their wounds.

A third person, the wife of the pub's new manager, was also shot dead by Amos.

Amos fled the scene but was caught nearby.

At his trial, he pleaded temporary insanity but was sentenced to death. He was hanged at Newcastle Gaol on July 22, 1913.

The officers were buried in Bedlington Cemetery and a memorial erected.

Over the years, it became run down, but the North-Eastern Police History Society has refurbished the memorial and it will be rededicated during the service at the cemetery on Sunday.