Piran Ditta Khan, accused of the murder of PC Sharon Beshenivsky in Bradford 18 years ago, has pleaded not guilty to the charges at Leeds Crown Court. The 74-year-old faces allegations related to the fatal shooting of the officer on November 18, 2005, as she and a colleague responded to reports of a robbery.
Mr. Khan, who was extradited from Pakistan in April, appeared in court where he denied the charge of murder and four firearms offences. The firearms charges involve the alleged possession of a Mac 10 submachine gun and a 9mm pistol, with additional charges for possession of a prohibited weapon for each firearm.
The court heard details regarding the submachine gun, stating it was allegedly “designed or adapted so that two or more missiles could be successfully discharged without repeated pressure on the trigger.”
During the hearing, Mr. Khan admitted to a charge of robbery on the same day PC Beshenivsky lost her life. This charge relates to the robbery of Mohammed Yousaf, involving the theft of a quantity of cash.
PC Sharon Beshenivsky, aged 38 at the time, was killed outside Universal Travel in Morley Street, Bradford. Her colleague, PC Teresa Milburn, sustained serious injuries but survived the attack.
The trial is scheduled for February, and Mr. Khan has been remanded in custody until the next hearing. The judge, Mr. Justice Hilliard, participated via videolink from the Central Criminal Court in London.
