GHOULISH admirers of gunman Raoul Moat are being urged to stay away from the village where he ended his life.
On the eve of the first anniversary of the start of his shooting spree, villagers in Rothbury, Northumberland, are pleading to be left in peace.
The 37-year-old doorman shot and wounded his former girlfriend, Samantha Stobbart, on July 3, last year, in Birtley, near Chester-le- Street, and murdered her new lover, Chris Brown.
The following day, he shot unarmed police officer David Rathband in the face as he was sitting in his patrol car in Newcastle.
Despite his horrific crimes, Moat acquired a small army of supporters during his time on the run, before he was eventually cornered in Rothbury, where he shot himself in the head on July 10.
Residents of the village, who endured almost a week of fear while Moat remained at large, say sightseers continue to visit the riverbank where the killer died and that any tributes left this weekend will be quickly removed.
Northumberland county councillor Steven Bridgett said: “We are trying to put it all behind us.
“Some of the locals were unhappy with people coming up and leaving tributes to Mr Moat.
“For the anniversary, the county council has agreed that any tributes or flowers left will be removed within 12 hours. I would like to welcome any person to who wants to visit Rothbury and see what a beautiful community we live in, but anyone who wants to lay tributes and memorials to Raoul Moat is not welcome here.”
Rothbury parish councillor Peter Dawson said: “We would ask people if they want to lay floral tributes to do it elsewhere.
“Why does anyone want to remember a murderer? Personally, I think that is wrong.”
He added: “To be honest the villagers are sick of it all.”
On Monday, a year to the day since he was shot, PC Rathband will release Tango 190, a book detailing his brush with death and his efforts to rebuild his life, including setting up a charity to help emergency services workers injured in the line of duty.
He said: “I am hopeful I can leave a legacy behind, and people remember me for living and achieving, instead of being associated with Raoul Moat the coward.”
Ms Stobbart has kept a low profile since she was shot, but still lives in Birtley.
A family source said: “She’s getting on with her life, but I imagine she will be very upset come the anniversary."
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