Moments leading up to Moat's death remain a mystery - inquest

Gunman Raoul Moat's final moments remain a mystery, an inquest heard.

Steve Reynolds, of the Independent Police Complaints Commission, told the hearing Tasers were fired at the steroid-addicted former nightclub doorman in an "effort to stop him taking his own life".

Armed police fired Tasers at Mr Moat, 37, that were not approved by the Home Office, the inquest at Newcastle Civic Centre also heard.

The XRep Taser, which is fired from a 12-gauge shotgun, is currently being tested by the Home Office before being approved for use by police forces in England and Wales.

But the Home Office stressed police could use any weapon they saw fit as long as its use was "lawful, reasonable and proportionate".

Mr Reynolds said that at 7.25 p.m. on Friday a member of the public saw Mr Moat at the Riverside park area in Rothbury, Northumberland and called police.

"Armed Police contained Mr Moat and negotiators were deployed hoping to achieve a peaceful outcome," he said.

"He was in possession of a sawn-off shotgun which he had pointed at his head.

"At 1.12 a.m. on July 10 Mr Moat's shotgun discharged resulting in him receiving fatal injuries.

"At some point around the time of the fatal shot two West Yorkshire Police firearms officers armed with XRep Tasers discharged their weapons at Mr Moat.

"This is understood to have been in an effort to prevent Mr Moat taking his own life.

"At this stage the precise sequence of events regarding the discharge of the Tasers has not been established and is under investigation."

Mr Reynolds would be focusing his investigation on the final hours of Moat's life - from when he was first spotted at 7.25 p.m. until he was formally declared dead in hospital at 2.22 a.m. the following day - and looking at the tactics the police used.

The review of tactics will consider the deployment and use of the XRep Taser.

Newcastle Coroner David Mitford said the preliminary cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head.

The Home Office confirmed the XRep Taser was not approved for use by forces in England and Wales.

A spokesman said: "It is currently subject to testing by the Home Office Scientific Development Branch.

"However, legally, police forces have discretion to use any equipment they see fit as long as the use of force is lawful, reasonable and proportionate."