Man's last wish was to kill a 'copper'

Cancer sufferer John Bellamy told friends: "I am going to take out a copper before I die."

Armed with a handgun, Mr Bellamy is alleged to have subjected relatives to a terrifying car ride through Durham City as he looked to settle old scores, sparking a huge police operation.

Surrounded by armed officers and with a helicopter overhead, the 50-year-old surrendered in nearby Brandon and was put behind bars.

Less than four weeks later, he died, having spent the last days of his life in Holme House Prison, in Stockton.

Yesterday, at Newcastle Crown Court, legal proceedings against John William Bellamy were formally brought to a halt.

At an earlier hearing at Peterlee Magistrates' Court, Mr Bellamy, of Gray Gables, Brandon, was charged with making threats to kill, possession of a firearm and criminal damage.

The court was told he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and was given weeks to live by specialists at the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham City.

Although he was estranged from his family, he was reconciled with his brother, David, and distant relative Anthony Coates when it was discovered he was dying.

Janet Mason, prosecuting, told the Peterlee court that during one visit, Mr Bellamy - known by the nickname Barney - had produced a black ski mask he kept in the locker at his hospital bedside. He put the mask on his head, clasped his hands together in the shape of a gun and told his visitors: "Boom, boom, I am going to take out a copper before I die."

On June 28, Mr Bellamy discharged himself from hospital and was taken by his brother and Mr Coates to his sister's house, where he collected a number of bags, putting most of them in the boot of the car, but keeping one with him.

Mr Coates later told police that as they drove off Mr Bellamy had produced several pieces of metal from the bag and began assembling a gun. He also produced cartridges from a leather pouch.

Mr Coates, who is believed to be in his 40s, opened a can of beer, but said an enraged Mr Bellamy turned on him and hit him in the face three times with the butt of the gun. He then put the barrel of the gun to Mr Coates neck and said: "I am going to take you out. Get out of the car."

The incident lasted about 15 minutes. Eventually, Mr Bellamy got out of the car near the Co-op, in Brandon, and the car drove off.

Over the next 40 minutes, police received a number of calls from members of the public as Mr Bellamy, said by witnesses to be still brandishing the gun, prowled the streets looking for a policeman to kill.

Armed response units were called out and the force helicopter scoured the area before he was discovered in Commercial Street. After a tense stand-off, he gave himself up.

When he was arrested, Mr Bellamy was unarmed and a subsequent search by police failed to uncover his weapon.

The court was told that Mr Bellamy - a well-known petty criminal who was said to have a lifelong fascination with guns - posed a danger to the public.

Ms Mason said: "Bellamy is in a dubious state of mind he has nothing to lose, he has threatened to kill a policeman and members of his family and his family believes he is capable of doing it."

She added: "Despite his very serious illness I have great fears that other offences will be committed if he is released.''

Yesterday, defence barrister Ros Scott-Bell told Newcastle Crown Court that it would have been her intention to contest the case.

At the earlier hearing, defence solicitor John Grierson said his client did not have a record of violence, that no gun had ever been found and the evidence had been exaggerated beyond recognition.

In an application to spare Mr Bellamy being remanded in custody, Mr Grierson told the court that the accused's GP believed he could die at any time and "no one wants to die in prison."

Mr Bellamy was remanded in custody and died on July 23, less than a month after the incident.