THE policeman gunned down by Raoul Moat should be “an inspiration” to all those trying to bring the rampage to an end, the officer’s brother said yesterday.

PC David Rathband, 42, is recovering after being blasted by Moat as he sat in a parked police car in the early hours of Sunday.

Speaking outside Newcastle Magistrates’ Court, where two men appeared yesterday accused of acting as Moat’s accomplices, the officer’s brother, Darren Rathband, told reporters: “He’s got a long road ahead of him. His family will support him.

“He was unarmed, parked, doing his job. This coward has not only wrecked his life but the lives of so many people, including his children. He should be ashamed.”

Mr Rathband added: “The Chief Constable of Northumbria Police has assured David that he’s got a career within the service that he’s served for 11 years.

“Even now, he still wants to continue to serve the community of Northumbria.

“My brother is an inspiration, not only to me. He should be an inspiration to everybody involved in this investigation.

“He wants to thank Northumbria officers and all the other officers from across the country who’ve come up here to resolve this incident.”

PC Rathband is a football referee and officiates in the Northern League. Officials and fans have sent their best wishes to him for a speedy recovery.

Earlier, Karl Ness, a 26-yearold from Dudley in North Tyneside, and Qhuram Awan, a 23-year-old from Blyth, had appeared in court charged with conspiracy to commit murder and possessing a firearm with intent.

Both men have indicated they will deny the charges and were remanded in custody until they appear before Newcastle Crown Court on July 22.

Outside court, Khashif Khan, representing Mr Awan’s family, said: “The family have full confidence in the justice system to exonerate their brother.”