AN inquest has heard how police arrested a man for being drunk and disorderly a few moments after he claimed to have witnessed an armed officer shoot and kill an unarmed man.

Alan Hutchinson was giving evidence at an inquest into the death of Keith Richards, after the 47-year-old was killed following a standoff with officers on May 12, 2009.

Mr Hutchinson told the inquest jury he had drunk five pints and two bottles that evening before noticing a high police presence in Shildon, County Durham.

He said he was crouching in the street watching as armed officers negotiated with Mr Richards, who they believed was armed with a crossbow.

Mr Hutchinson said his memory of the events was hazy, but the jury watched a video of a statement he made the morning after Mr Richards was shot.

In the video he tells the interviewing officer he was watching Mr Richards, who believed a drink-driving charge would ruin his life, standing in a bedroom window the moment he was shot.

He claims Mr Richards, who had financial worries, was unarmed having put the crossbow on the floor or bed in his home in Cheapside, Shildon, County Durham, as instructed by police officers.

However, Mr Hutchinson also stated, at least three times in the same hour-long interview, that he was looking away the moment Mr Richards was shot.

He said: “I heard a loud bang and then I looked back at the window and Keith was gone.”

After the shot was fired Mr Hutchinson remonstrated with police that they had unnecessarily killed Mr Richards who he said posed no threat at the time.

Mr Hutchinson was told to leave the scene, but when he refused he was arrested and held overnight in Bishop Auckland police station.

He was given a fine for being drunk and disorderly. He later denied the charge at magistrates’ court but was found guilty and ordered to pay £600.

He denied he held any kind of grudge against the police.

The inquest, which is being held in the Work Place, Newton Aycliffe, continues today.