LONDON: A Pakistani man was found guilty on Thursday of killing a UK police officer in 2005, after he had eluded prosecution for 20 years.
Computer While answering to a call of an armed robbery, 38-year-old mother of three Sharon Beshenivsky was shot and killed outside a tourist shop in Bradford. They fired at point blank range at her.
Following his prior admission of guilt to robbery, 75-year-old Piran Ditta Khan, who has been sought by British authorities since 2006, was convicted guilty at Leeds Crown Court. Out of the seven individuals engaged in the crime, he was the final one to be found guilty.
A majority of 10-1 found Khan guilty of murder after 11 jurors deliberated for over 19 hours over four days. By a majority vote of 10-1, he was also found guilty on two charges of possessing a handgun with the intent to endanger life. All the judges found him guilty on both counts of having a restricted firearm in his possession.
The event started on November 18, 2005, when Sharon Beshenivsky and PC Teresa Milburn arrived at a Bradford travel agency on Morley Street in response to an alarm call. Three gunmen opened fire on them as soon as they arrived, killing Beshenivsky and wounding Milburn.
The group’s leader, according to the prosecution, is the former takeout boss Khan. He had a “pivotal” part in the raid’s planning and was aware that loaded firearms would be used, even though he stayed within the safety of a lookout car during the operation.
They informed the jurors that he was therefore responsible for Beshenivsky’s death “as surely as if he had pulled the trigger on that pistol himself.”
The court heard that he was the only member of the gang who had utilized Universal Express before to transmit money to relatives in Pakistan.
Khan testified before the jury that he was unaware that guns would be taken or that a robbery would take place. He said that after they met through a business associate, he owed £12,000 to the owner of the company, Mohammad Yousaf, and that Hassan Razzaq, the debt collector, pledged to repay him.
Khan expressed his belief that the guys Razzaq sent would either “slap them” or “intimidate” the Universal Express employees.
Khan’s allegation that he was duped was a “wholly false” attempt to justify his presence in Bradford during the robbery and murder, according to prosecutor Robert Smith KC.
Five days prior to the raid, jurors were told that Khan, who was then residing in Enfield, London, had been driven to Yorkshire by Razzaq for reconnaissance.
They traveled up once more the day before the heist, spending the night at a “safe house” in Leeds.
While refurbishing the residence, Francois Baron later reported to the authorities that he had overheard the burglars talking about their plan in one of the bedrooms.
“Uncle, is it safe?” is what gunman Muzzaker Shah allegedly asked Khan, according to Mr. Baron. According to reports, Khan answered, “Yes, it’s safe.” Sincere.”
Jurors heard “How much can we get?” Shah inquired. “Minimum £50,000, maximum target 100 grand,” Khan retorted.
“Let’s go do it!” was yelled by the “elated” and “confident” group.
Two months after the murder, Khan escaped to Pakistan in order to avoid being caught. He stayed at large until 2020, when he was captured in Islamabad. At that time, Khan’s attorney stated that Khan desired to face trial in his native nation.
The CPS, National Crime Agency, and Pakistani authorities collaborated to enable Khan’s return to the UK in April 2023, when he was apprehended and charged, despite the lack of an extradition treaty.
