Moat victim's daughter pays tribute

Floral tributes at the funeral of Chris Brown who was shot dead by Raoul Moat the early hours of July 3 in Birtley, Gateshead
12 April 2012

The daughter of the man murdered by gunman Raoul Moat has paid a poignant tribute to him.

Chris Brown's funeral was attended by hundreds of friends and relatives in his home town of Slough, Berkshire, with many mourners wearing the colours of his beloved Chelsea FC. The father-of-two had been shot dead by former nightclub doorman Moat in Birtley, Gateshead, in the early hours of July 3.

His girlfriend Samantha Stobbart, who was also injured in the attack, had told her former partner Moat that she was dating a police officer. The 22-year-old did not attend Friday's 35-minute service at Slough Crematorium, having been criticised by Mr Brown's family for telling the lie, knowing Moat hated the police.

Mr Brown's daughter Charlee, 11, wrote a message to her father which was attached to a floral tribute spelling out "Daddy" in white flowers. The letter read: "Daddy - Now you're a star in the sky. Please, when I look, shine bright. I will know it's you and blow a kiss, tell you I love you, and help you sleep tight. Love always, Charlee."

A message written on behalf of Mr Brown's young son was also attached to the flowers, and read: "To Daddy. I miss you so much and I'll love you forever x. I promise I'll make you proud. Love you Daddy, x Jimmy x."

A heart-shaped tribute with a ribbon printed with the word "fiance" was also left, but Thames Valley Police said Mr Brown's family were not aware of him being engaged. The message, from a woman called Zoe, describes Mr Brown as her "wonderful guy" and read: "Baby, you were truly one in a million. Love forever and always."

Mr Brown's coffin was topped with blue ribbons and white flowers and was taken into the crematorium chapel to the Chelsea anthem. Mourners paid tribute to him during the service, which featured the song He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother. Chelsea song Blue is the Colour was played as friends and relatives left the chapel to place flowers in the garden of remembrance in memory of the karate instructor.

The mourners, asked to wear bright colours for the service, took blue ribbons from a box placed alongside the flowers to wear in memory of Mr Brown. They were led by Mr Brown's sister Becky Njie and mother Sally Brown, who left a message with a wreath saying she was "so sorry" for not being with him when he died. His father wrote: "We were miles apart, but you were always in my heart."

Mr Brown was from Slough but had moved to the north-east of England, where he met Ms Stobbart. Mr Brown was shot by Moat, who had been released from prison two days earlier after serving a short sentence for assault, as he left a house. Ms Stobbart suffered serious injuries when she too was shot, but has since been discharged from hospital.

Moat then went on to shoot police officer David Rathband, leaving the 42-year-old blind, and went on the run, sparking one of Britain's biggest manhunts. The 37-year-old father-of-three eventually fatally shot himself in Rothbury on July 10, following a six-hour stand-off with Northumbria Police.

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