A POLICE marksman who shot and killed a Bolton dad in a pre-planned operation thought his colleagues were in “extreme danger” when he pulled the trigger, a public inquiry has heard.

Anthony Grainger was in a stolen Audi in a car park in Culcheth, Cheshire, in March, 2012 when he was fatally wounded by a bullet fired through the windscreen.

The public inquiry into the 36-year-old’s death, sitting at Liverpool Crown Court, heard Mr Grainger had been under surveillance by Greater Manchester Police.

Counsel to the inquiry Jason Beer told the court the marksman — referred to as Q9 — had been in one of three armed response vehicles deployed to the scene to arrest Mr Grainger and two others.

In a statement, Q9 said a police car blocked in the Audi and he shouted “armed police, show me your hands”.

He said: “Both the driver and the front seat passenger raised their hands above the vehicle’s dashboard. They were both wearing gloves.”

But he said driver Mr Grainger lowered his right hand in a “sudden and deliberate movement”.

He said: “I thought he was reaching for a firearm. I quickly realised the approaching officers were in extreme danger.”

The officer said he fired one round at Mr Grainger’s chest and then saw him slump back in the seat.

The hearing continues.