The seven-day search for gunman Raoul Moat in July 2010 was the biggest manhunt in modern British history and made headlines around the world.
After killing one victim and injuring two others in a two-day rampage, Moat managed to evade police for days by camping out in the Northumbria countryside.
As snipers targeted Raoul, footballer Paul Gascoigne made a bizarre appearance, emerging with beer and chicken as he begged officers to allow him to help the killer after a drunk and drug spree.
The pursuit has now been turned into controversial new ITV drama ‘The Chase of Raoul Moat’ – with many eager to see Gazza’s involvement.
But since the series’ unpredictable turn of events was left out for fear it would “trivialize” the story, Web takes a look back at the bizarre (and nonexistent) “relationship” between Gazza and Raoul.
Unexpected: In the bizarre ‘relationship’ between Paul Gascoigne and Raoul Moat, ITV omits the footballer’s involvement in his new drama series. Paul arrives at the scene of the Rothbury manhunt in 2010, brandishing the snacks for his “friend” Raoul
What really happened?
It’s 9pm and former England footballer Paul is watching the news coverage in Newcastle.
He’s so high on alcohol and drugs that he tells himself he knows Raoul. Paul hails a cab and asks the driver to take him to Rothbury.
“You’re not going where I think you’re going?” asks the driver. “Yes, I am,” Paul replies. “I’ve been through so much, I’m the best therapist in the world, I can save him.”
At 10:00 p.m., arc lights will be placed around the riverfront site. Raoul declines the police’s offer of a raincoat. Paul arrives at the cordon with food and a fishing pole, and officers ask him where he’s going.
“I’m going to meet up with Moaty,” Paul replies. The police laugh and tell him to go home, but Paul insists he knows where to find him as he sees a helicopter’s light shining on him. The police explain that this is the light of a star.
30 minutes later, Raoul calls out to the police that he doesn’t want to continue: “I don’t want to spend the rest of my life in a cell. I have no father – nobody takes care of me.”
Paul calls local station Real Radio to explain in a slurred voice why he’s at the siege: ‘Listen, I drove from Newcastle to Rothbury. It cost a lot of money.
“I brought him a robe, a heavy jacket, I bought some chicken, some bread and a can of beer, a fishing rod because I heard he’s at the river and I have a fishing rod so we can fish together and we can go with can entertain him . . . I think I can help him with that.
“He’s a lovely guy … he just wants to surrender.”
The press calls Gascoigne’s agent Kenny Shepherd for his reaction: ‘He does what? I’m sitting at dinner in Mallorca. I’m speechless.’
A few hours later, Paul will wake up with hundreds of messages on his phone. ‘ I thought, ‘What did I do yesterday? I’ve got chicken by my side, fishing rods, a Barbour [jacket]I’m like, ‘F*** me, I must have done something.”
Ouch! The seven-day search for gunman Raoul Moat in July 2010 was the biggest manhunt in modern British history and made headlines around the world
What has Paul said about it since then?
He told The Mirror in 2020: “I just remember being in a cab, I had a fishing rod, a chicken, four cans of beer and a fishing jacket.
“I thought I could take Raoul Moat fishing because he was near a river.
“I said to the taxi driver ‘go to the airport’ and when we got to Newcastle airport I said ‘go to Rothbury’.
“The cab driver said, ‘You’re not going where I think you’re going?’ And I said, ‘Yes, I am.’
Why is Raoul Moat on the run?
Raoul became Britain’s most wanted fugitive after being on the run for seven days before taking his own life in a standoff with armed police in July 2010.
He had murdered Christopher Brown, 29, who was dating his ex-partner Samantha Stobbart, whom he also shot and wounded on the street in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.
The former nightclub bouncer then shot and blinded PC David Rathband.
Raoul threatened to target more cops after he began his murderous killing spree after being released from prison.
PC Rathband tragically took his own life two years later at the age of 44.
Reflecting: Paul said in 2020: “I just remember being in a cab, I had a fishing rod, a chicken, four cans of beer and a fishing jacket” (pictured in April 2023)
What was the timetable of events?
Thursday July 1: Raoul is released from Durham Prison after serving 18 weeks for assault
Friday, July 2: Prison officials warn police Moat could harm Samantha Stobbart
Saturday July 3: Raoul shoots Samantha’s new boyfriend Chris Brown outside her home in Birtley, Gateshead, injuring her as well. Manhunt for Raoul is initiated.
Sunday 4th July: PC David Rathband is shot and seriously injured in his squad car. Moat Rings officials claim Samantha is having an affair with a police officer
Monday, July 5: The manhunt for Raoul continues
Tuesday July 6: Raoul’s car is spotted in Rothbury, Northumberland and police flood the area and establish a two-mile exclusion zone. A letter written by Raoul reveals his intention to declare war on the police
Wednesday, July 7: Officers find a tent where Raoul slept and another letter from him
Thursday, July 8: Police say Raoul threatened the public and two men were arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetted a perpetrator and released on bail
Friday, July 9: At 7 p.m., Raoul emerges from hiding and reporters watch as he lies on the ground with a gun and threatens to kill himself. The police tried to negotiate with him for six hours
Saturday 10 July: At 1.10am a gunshot is heard and Raoul is pronounced dead after being taken to hospital. Police said Moat appeared to have killed himself
ITV’s The Hunt For Raoul Moat will air back-to-back on April 16th, 17th and 18th.
Good watch: ITV’s The Hunt For Raoul Moat will air back-to-back April 16, 17 and 18 (actor Matt Stokoe pictured as Raoul)