Bradford, West Yorkshire – In a tragic turn of events, rookie police officer PC Sharon Beshenivsky lost her life at the hands of Piran Ditta Khan, the mastermind behind a gang responsible for a robbery at Universal Express Travel in Bradford, West Yorkshire.
The gang, fueled by alcohol and immorality, were reported to have gone on a night out at a brothel shortly before the fatal shooting of PC Beshenivsky. Khan, aged 75, was found guilty of orchestrating the robbery and possessing firearms with intent to endanger lives during the incident in November 2005.
Following almost 20 years since the attack, Khan has been rightfully convicted, with jurors deliberating painstakingly for nearly 19 hours over four days at Leeds Crown Court. Additionally, six other individuals linked to Khan’s gang have also been found guilty of various charges including murder, manslaughter, robbery, and possession of firearms with malicious intent.
Prior to the raid, Khan was said to have indulged in revelry with sex workers and champagne, with some allegedly being paid £80 for entertainment and services. After the crime, the panicked group regrouped at a safe house in Harehills, Leeds, where the shooter resorted to drastic measures by shaving off his hair.
During the botched robbery, PC Beshenivsky’s colleague Teresa Milburn, 37, sustained injuries while the courageous mother, PC Beshenivsky, tragically succumbed to gunshot wounds despite efforts by medical professionals. Her untimely demise marked her as the seventh female police officer killed in the line of duty in Britain.
Court testimonies unveiled the harrowing ordeal faced by the officers, who were fatally shot by an armed robber at close range. PC Milburn recounted the terrifying moments, highlighting the defenseless state of the officers during the attack.
Khan, now the seventh man convicted in connection to the fatal raid, was exposed as the orchestrator behind the lethal robbery at Universal Express. Even though Khan professed ignorance of the robbery and weapons involved, evidence pointed towards his central role in planning the crime, leading to tragic consequences.
The trial shed light on the meticulous planning that went into the heinous act, emphasizing Khan’s culpability in the murder of PC Beshenivsky, despite not being the one to pull the trigger. The court proceedings painted a clear picture of Khan’s involvement and knowledge of the firearms used, solidifying his position as a key figure in the devastating chain of events that led to the loss of a dedicated officer’s life.