PC Sharon Beshenivsky 'shot dead at near point blank range as mastermind killer hid in car', trial hears 18 years later
A POLICE officer was shot dead at point-blank range while her alleged killer hid in the safety of a getaway car, a court heard today.
PC Sharon Beshenivsky, 38, was shot dead as she responded to an armed robbery at a travel agency in Bradford, West Yorkshirein 2005.
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Her colleague PC Teresa Milburn, who was 37 at the time, was seriously injured after a gunman opened fire “indiscriminately” as he fled the scene, jurors heard.
Piran Ditta Khan is on trial murdertwo counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and two counts of possession of a prohibited weapon.
The 75-year-old, who is accused of planning the robbery, flew to Pakistan three months after the shooting, jurors heard.
Leeds Crown Court said he was returned to Britain last year following a government extradition request.
Six men have been convicted of the botched robbery, while Khan is now the seventh to stand trial.
Jurors heard he is not one of the three men who carried out the raid and did not shoot the mother of one PC Beshenivsky.
He “did not leave the safety” of a Mercedes SLK used as a lookout car, it was said.
Khan allegedly masterminded the robbery “in the knowledge that loaded firearms would be transported”, prosecutor Robert Smith KC said.
The court was told that the robbers were “prepared to use their firearms to kill or seriously injure anyone who stood in their way… something of which the suspect would have been well aware”.
Mr Smith added: “The part [Khan] The game was such that the prosecutor claims that he is also guilty of the murder of Sharon Beshenivsky.
Khan is said to have previously used Universal Express travel agents and was aware that large amounts of cash were being kept at the premises during the day.
He is accused of carrying out a reconnaissance mission five days before the attack horror.
On the morning of PC Beshenivsky's death, Khan gathered with his six accomplices at a house in Leeds, jurors heard.
One of the men had asked him how much money they could expect to get, with Khan reportedly replying with £50,000 and a maximum of £100,000.
The gang then proceeded to the building – with two of them 'dressed for the occasion' to take“.
Armed robbery
One person also had a laptop bag containing “at least one pistol and machine gun, both of which were loaded”, as well as a large knife and a cable for tying up personnel.
Three cars were involved in the robbery Toyota Rav4 containing the three men who carried out the raid, the Mercedes in which Khan was a passenger and a Toyota Corolla, it was said.
Both PC Beshenivsky and PC Milburn were unarmed and posed no threat when they were scrambled to the building.
As the fallen officer entered the building, one of the men reached out and pointed at her.
Smith said: “After this man shot Sharon Beshenivsky, Teresa Milburn saw him move his gun toward her.
“She heard a bang and felt enormous pain. She knew immediately that she had been shot.”
PC Beshenivsky's injury was immediately fatal, while her colleague managed to do so radio for help coughing up blood, jurors heard.
The court heard that the other men involved in the robbery have been convicted of offenses including murder, manslaughter, robbery and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
Khan, who had 'settled' company and home life England And ScotlandBefore leaving Britain, he denies the accusations.
The process continues.
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