A POLICEMAN left blinded after being shot in the face by gunman Raoul Moat said he was devastated, but felt good about the future as he left hospital yesterday.

PC David Rathband was sitting in his patrol car at a roundabout on the A1 in Newcastle when the killer opened fire on him.

The married father-of-two was taken to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, but doctors were unable to save his sight.

Twin brother Darren, 42, said: “We’re all aware he has a massive road ahead of him. All he wants to do is spend some time with the family.

“I’m sure he has a plan for the future that will become apparent.

He wants to help people and that’s what he’s going to do.”

PC Rathband, who was shot twice in the attack 18 days ago, said he was now “medically” on the mend.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live that despite his injuries, he felt “good about what’s ahead” and was looking forward to sleeping in his own bed.

But he admitted that adapting to the life-changing events would be hard.

PC Rathband also defended criticism of his fellow officers, adding: “I’m very mindful that only a few months ago, not too far away, this incident here could have been very similar to what happened in Cumbria.”

Moat, 37, from Newcastle, went on the rampage after former girlfriend Sam Stobbart, of Birtley, Gateshead, ended their relationship.

He shot Ms Stobbart and killed her new boyfriend, karate instructor Chris Brown, and blasted the policeman before going on the run.

It has also emerged that Northumbria Police used survival expert Ray Mears in the week-long manhunt.

The father-of-three shot himself dead in Rothbury, Northumberland, in the early hours of July 10 at the end of a six-hour stand-off.

Last week, the opening of the inquest into Moat’s death heard two Tasers were fired at him around the same time as the fatal shot.

A second post-mortem examination is to take place at the request of his brother, Angus.

A total of 20 people have been arrested in connection with the case.