Taser ‘did not cause Moat to kill himself’

An unauthorised Taser weapon fired by police at cornered killer Raoul Moat did not cause him to accidentally blast himself in the head..

Dr Ian Schofield, a consultant neurophysiologist with expertise in how electric currents affect the nervous system, said even if an electrical discharge went through Moat, it would not have made him act involuntarily.

Moat was hit by an XREP projectile fired from a shotgun which was intended to incapacitate him before he committed suicide.

His family fear the round may have caused him to inadvertently clench his fingers and pull the trigger.

The ex-doorman was sitting in Rothbury, Northumberland, with a sawn-off shotgun pointing at his temple when the Taser hit him.

Moments later he fired, blowing a hole straight through his brain.

The jury has heard although the XREP hit his arm, it did not pierce the skin, and any electric shock was localised, if it happened at all. Dr Schofield produced a report for the coroner with the summary: “Mr Moat was struck by an XREP projectile on the left forearm. There is no definitive evidence to suggest that electrical discharge of any type was felt by Mr Moat.

Coroner David Mitford adjourned the hearing until Monday when he will sum up.