Lanark gang's 'tribute' to Raoul Moat

Moat died last month after committing a murder and blinding a police officer for life.

But local people surfing the internet have been shocked to discover that a group, calling itself the Lanark Young Team, has signed up to a Bebo tribute site to the killer.

In brief, street slang-ridden statements the gang hails Moat as a "rebel wae a cause", indicating support for Moat's stated aim to kill as many police officers as possible before he was stopped.

Further messages from the same gang include obscene anti-police messages, one ending with the comment: "One doon thousands tae go".

The Lanark Young Team's contribution to the "Raoul Moat Supprters Club" tribute site has been slammed by the Scottish Police Federation.

Federation chairman Les Gray said: "This is sick and, even by the standards of these modern times, beyond belief.

"How could anyone hold up a bully and a coward like Raoul Moat as any kind of hero, any kind of example to other people?

"The man was a thug who, in my opinion, got exactly what was coming to him. He deserved everything he got."

Even on the so-called Raoul Moat Supporters Club site, the Lanark Young Team didn't have it all their own way.

Other contributors logged disgust. One message, signed Jordan M, stated: "The guy (Moat) was an idiot...almost killing a police officer. such an idiotic move. They are there to protect us."

For more on this story, pick up a copy of this week's Lanark Gazette which is in the shops now.