TWO alleged accomplices of killer Raoul Moat have made their first appearance at Crown Court.

Karl Ness, 26, and Qhuram Awan, 23, were originally thought to be Moat's hostages during his days on the run after murdering one person and shooting another two.

They were picked up by police in Rothbury, Northumberland, days after former doorman Moat had fled Newcastle.

But after the pair were found, they were charged with conspiracy to commit murder and possessing a firearm with intent.

So far, 20 people have been arrested in connection with the investigation, but Ness and Awan are the only two who have been charged with offences.

Prosecutors believe Ness, of Dudley, North Tyneside, was with Moat when he shot his on-off girlfriend Samantha Stobbart and killed her new boyfriend Chris Brown in Birtley, Gateshead.

They also say both Ness and Awan, of Blyth, Northumberland, were with Moat, 37, when he shot PC David Rathband as he sat in his car in Denton, Newcastle.

The pair, appearing via video link at Holme House Prison, Stockton, are accused of obtaining a shotgun for Moat in readiness for his release from Durham prison and then proving food and essentials for the killer.

Ness, was wearing a grey prison shirt, had a beard, was bald and was sporting several tattoos on forearms.

Awan was wearing grey prison shirt, had a beard and short dark hair.

PC Rathband, who has been left blind after Moat blasted him with a shotgun, left hospital on Wednesday.

At Newcastle Crown Court today, Ness and Awan spoke only to confirm their names.

Moat died during a tense stand-off with police after spending seven days on the run.

The Judge, Mr Justice Simon set a date for pleas to be entered on November 1 this year and said a trial date, listed for five weeks, would be set for January 2011.