A SERIES of text messages reveal how Raoul Moat’s former business partner helped him carry out the “calmly delivered execution” of his love rival, a court heard.

Karl Ness, 26, was waiting nearby in a white van when Moat gunned down karate instructor Chris Brown before wounding former girlfriend Samantha Stobbart outside a house in Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, said Robert Smith, prosecuting.

He told Newcastle Crown Court that Ness and 23-year-old Qhuram Awan were with the former bouncer when he twice shot and blinded PC David Rathband as he sat in his patrol car in Newcastle.

“The shooting of PC Rathband was a joint enterprise in which these two defendants lent active, deliberate and intentional support to Moat in seeking a police officer to shoot and attempt to kill,”

said Mr Smith. He described them as willing accomplices.

The court heard Moat was still in Durham jail for assault when he ordered Mr Ness to “stake out” Samantha Stobbart and find out whether she was seeing another man.

Moat shot Christopher Brown dead and left Miss Stobbart, 22, in a critical condition only 36 hours after he was released on July 1, last year.

In a series of text messages sent in the early hours of July 3, Moat described to Mr Ness hearing the couple talking about him as he lay in wait beneath an open window.

One read: “I’m going to kick off nice and proper when they come out. Then we’ll see who’s laughing.”

Mr Smith said Mr Ness admitted in police interview that he was aware Moat intended to shoot Mr Brown.

He said Moat shot the 29- year-old in the chest and the neck after he had stepped in front of Miss Stobbart to shield her. Moat then reloaded and shot him in the head.

“It was a calmly delivered execution,” said Mr Smith.

Afterwards, Moat made his way on foot to Chester-le- Street, still carrying the gun.

He is recorded on CCTV making his way towards a taxi which took him to Lemington, Newcastle.

The Crown Prosecution Service said Mr Ness and Mr Awan were with Moat when he shot PC Rathband at 12.45am on July 4. “Awan was the driver and Ness lent his encouragement,”

said Mr Smith.

They then drove to Rothbury, Northumberland.

Mr Ness and Mr Awan were captured on CCTV buying food and camping provisions.

The court heard during the three-days the pair spent on the run with Moat, they sent letters to their families claiming to be hostages.

Mr Ness, of Brookside, Dudley, North Tyneside, denies the murder of Mr Brown as well as conspiracy, robbery and firearms charges Mr Awan, 23, of Rowley Street, Blyth, Northumberland, denies conspiracy, robbery and firearm charges.

Moat, 37, died after a sixhour stand-off in Rothbury.

The trial continues.