THE devastated wife of the crossbow-wielding father shot by police last night spoke of her shock over his death.

Julie Richards refused to believe police when they broke the news that her husband, Keith, had been shot and killed following an armed stand-off at his home in Cheapside, Shildon, County Durham, in the early hours of Tuesday.

The 47-year-old had been to the pub to watch Monday’s Premier League relegation battle between his team, Middlesbrough, and regional rivals Newcastle United.

He was asked to leave after arguing with Newcastle fans, and a couple of hours later was shot after firing crossbow bolts at armed police.

Last night, his wife told how police broke the news to her when her night shift finished at 6.30am on Tuesday.

Supermarket worker Mrs Richards, who is being comforted by relatives in Shildon, said: “When the police told me what had happened to Keith, I told them I did not believe it.

It still hasn’t sunk in.

“I knew Keith was going out for a drink that night, and I spoke to him on the phone at 8.15pm and 9.15pm. He sounded fine both times.”

Although they had lived apart since moving out of their home in Elm Drive, Shildon, in March – when spiralling debts meant they could no longer afford the mortgage – they were still very much a couple.

“We had never missed a mortgage payment, and handed the keys in to the bank voluntarily,”

she said.

“Keith said it was his debt so it was only fair people knocked on his door for repayments, which is why we were living separately.

“It was a struggle living apart, but it was the right thing to do at the time.

“He was going to move back in with me when his debts were repaid.”

The couple were looking forward to celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary in a few weeks’ time.

They had been together for 15 years after meeting while working in Morrisons.

They both have two children from previous relationships.

Mr Richards’ mother is being comforted by his brother, Steven, who is a Cleveland Police officer.

A Cleveland Police spokesman said the force was aware of the situation and had measures in place to support the officer.

An investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is under way.

Ten forensics officers combed through the scene on Tuesday.

They found two crossbows in the house, and several crossbow bolts were removed from grassland nearby.

A post-mortem examination has revealed Mr Richards died of bullet wounds to his neck, torso and arm.

The evidence suggests the injuries to his neck and arm were caused by the passage of one bullet.

Two rounds were fired and Mr Richards was hit from the front.

Gary Garland, IPCC commissioner for the North-East, said: “The investigation is progressing well, but it is still in its early stages.

“There will be analysis of a range of evidence, including eyewitness accounts and ballistic and forensic evidence, to help build a complete picture of what happened during the incident.”

Mr Richards’ rented terraced house and a silver Citroen C3 car parked outside were cordoned off and under police guard yesterday as the IPCC investigation continued.

Forensic work was due to finish last night.

Mr Garland said: “This is the first fatal shooting by police officers from Durham Constabulary and I am grateful for the full co-operation the force has given to the IPCC investigators.

“We are still keen to speak to anyone who witnessed any part of the incident between 12.30am and 2am.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the IPCC’s witness appeal line on 0800-096- 9078.