David Rathband negligence claim ruling due on Friday

Judgment in the negligence claim by Pc David Rathband's family against the shot policeman's employer Northumbria Police will be handed down on Friday.

He was blasted twice and left for dead by gunman Raoul Moat just minutes after the maniac had phoned 999 to say he was hunting for police.

The late traffic policeman's siblings brought the High Court claim, saying if senior officers had warned him, he would not have been sat stationary in his patrol car on a prominent Newcastle roundabout above the A1.

Northumbria Police have defended their actions that night in July 2010, saying if commanders had rushed orders another serious incident could have occurred.

Mr Justice Males will hand down his judgment at Newcastle's Moot Hall from 10.30am.

The claim has been brought by the officer's twin Darren and sister Debbie Essery, as executors of his will, and they have stated should they win, any compensation will be paid to his two children.

Pc Rathband killed himself in February 2012.