Victim of gunman Raoul Moat suspected to have taken own life

The body of Pc David Rathband was discovered in Blyth, Northumberland, last night after officers received a report of concern for his welfare.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said no-one was being sought in connection with the incident.

The father-of-two, 44, lost his sight and was fitted with prosthetic eyes after being shot at close range in July 2010 during the manhunt for fugitive Moat.

Prime Minister David Cameron has paid tribute, describing him as an "extraordinarily brave man".

Speaking on a visit to a further education college in south London, Mr Cameron said it was important that those injured while serving in the line of duty get the care they need.

He said: "I feel desperately sorry for his family.

"I met David, he was an extraordinarily brave man, and after his horrific injuries he did an enormous amount for charities and for other injured police officers, and for families who had lost police officers in the line of duty.

"He was a very, very brave man and I'm extremely sad about what's happened.

"Of course we have to do everything we can as a country to make sure that those who are wounded or fall in the line of duty, that their families are properly looked after and that they're properly commemorated, and we must make sure that's the case in this case too."

Northumbria Chief Constable Sue Sim said she was deeply saddened by the death of Pc Rathband, a dedicated officer who showed outstanding bravery in what was a terrifying situation.

A force spokesman said: "At around 7pm officers received a report of concern for the welfare of Pc David Rathband at his home in Blyth.

"Officers attended the scene alongside the ambulance service and he was found inside. He was declared dead at the scene.

"A police investigation is under way and officers are in the process of notifying the family.

"The coroner has been informed."

Former bouncer Moat was the subject of a huge manhunt as he evaded capture for a week before shooting himself dead after a stand-off with police in the market town of Rothbury, Northumberland.

On July 3 2010, he had shot and injured his former partner Samantha Stobbart, 22, and killed her new boyfriend, Chris Brown, 29.

The following day, after declaring he was now hunting for officers, Moat crept up on armed Pc Rathband as he sat in his marked police car at a roundabout above the A1.

Pc Rathband was shot in the face and shoulder but saved his own life by pretending to be dead.

He was rushed to Newcastle General Hospital and underwent surgery but lost the sight in both eyes and was left with more than 200 shotgun pellets lodged in his skull.

The officer, who joined Northumbria Police in 2000, later announced he was suing the force after he was left a sitting duck when gunman Moat declared war on police during his rampage.

After the attack, the policeman launched his own charity, the Blue Lamp Foundation, which aims to help emergency service personnel injured in the line of duty.

Pc Rathband announced on Twitter in November that he and his wife Kath were separating permanently.

Two months earlier, just before the start of the inquest into Moats death, he issued a statement saying he was to live separately from his wife and family.

But that statement stressed the move was purely for Davids rehabilitation and so that he can ultimately continue to support his family.

It said the move had nothing to do with his arrest on suspicion of assault and stressed David and Kath are very much still a married couple who love each other.

Pc Rathband was arrested in August last year after officers were called to an incident at his home in Cramlington, Northumberland. He was understood to have been released shortly after police arrived.

Karl Ness, 26, and Qhuram Awan, 23, who helped Moat during his rampage, were jailed for life in March last year.

Both were found guilty of the attempted murder of PC Rathband as well as other charges.

After they were sentenced, the officer said: "These two individuals, along with the other coward who wasnt man enough to stay here, have taken my job from me."

In December, he told how he hoped to take part in trials of a revolutionary machine which could restore his eyesight by allowing him to see using 400 electrodes on his tongue.

The BrainPort technology, which was designed in the US, can enable blind people to visualise objects and shapes.

He told the Daily Mail it gave him a bit of hope, adding: "I've gone from a man who did things when I wanted to, to a man who has to depend on others to do things with me and for me."

Following the policeman's death, Ms Sim said: "I am deeply saddened to have to confirm the death of Pc David Rathband and my thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.

"In July 2010 his life changed for ever when he was shot and blinded by Raoul Moat. David showed outstanding bravery in what was a terrifying situation.

"He was a dedicated officer who acted in the best traditions of the police service."

In a statement on its website, the Blue Lamp Foundation said: "It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of David Rathband.

"Since being shot in July 2010, David struggled to come to terms with his horrific injuries and the traumatic effect they had on him and his family and friends.

"David's legacy will live on in the form of The Blue Lamp Foundation, which bears his name.

"The foundation was started by David to help emergency services personnel injured in the line of duty as the result of a criminal act.

"It was David's wish that those who found themselves in a similar position to him could receive the support that wasnt available to him at the time.

"David's family have asked that their privacy be respected at this time and they are allowed the time and space to reflect and grieve."

Former Scotland Yard commander John O'Connor said the consequences of Pc Rathband's injuries had been too much for him to live with.

2No amount of counselling or compensation can give you back what youve lost and thats the bottom line of it," he told ITV's Daybreak.

"If you can't live with the consequences of the injuries you've received then, you know, this is a way out for a lot of people.

"It's dreadfully sad, there's nothing that could be done, in my view.

"You get all the counselling, all the help that's available, all the back-up, but the reality is you've got to live with it and if you can't, that's what happens."

He said the police officer, who came under the media spotlight following the roundabout attack, had chosen to publicise his ordeal to help other wounded officers.

"The reality was, that was his choice and that was how he felt he could deal with the injuries he received," he said.

But he added: "He's a man that suffered these appalling injuries and at the end of the day, the consequences were too much for him to live with - he couldn't bear the consequences.

"We move on but the victims stay with their injuries and their trauma for ever."

Home Secretary Theresa May said: "I had the privilege of meeting Pc David Rathband. He was a brave and fine policeman. My thoughts are with his family."

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: "This is deeply sad news of the loss of a very brave police officer.

"My thoughts are with Pc David Rathband's family, friends and colleagues at Northumbria police.

"Pc Rathband showed extraordinary bravery and determination, both during the horrific events in the summer of 2010 and afterwards in overcoming the attack to set up his charity to help others.

"The work of the Blue Lamp Foundation David Rathband set up is immensely important and stands as tribute to him."

She went on: "We should never underestimate the risks the emergency services take to protect the public and the debt we owe those who put their own lives on the line to keep us safe."

The Police Federation of England and Wales, which represents rank and file officers, added that it was extremely saddened by the tragic news.

Paul McKeever, the federation's chairman, said: "The thoughts of police officers across the country are today with David's wife, children, family, friends and colleagues as they struggle to come to terms with this devastating loss.

"David was a remarkable man who sacrificed a great deal for his communities and his family.

"He exemplified the very best of British policing and had the respect of all those who knew or worked alongside him. This is a very sad day for the police family. David will be sorely missed but never forgotten."