Bradford, West Yorkshire – Rookie police officer PC Sharon Beshenivsky was tragically murdered by Piran Ditta Khan, the mastermind behind a robbery at Universal Express Travel in this city. Khan, the ringleader of a gang, orchestrated the lethal robbery where the attack took place. The incident occurred in November 2005, leading to the death of PC Beshenivsky, who was just 38 years old at the time.
The gang responsible for the robbery, which resulted in the death of PC Beshenivsky, went on an alcohol-fueled night out at a brothel mere hours before the fatal attack. This revelation came to light during the trial of Khan, who was also found guilty of two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life in connection with the same incident.
In a shocking turn of events, nearly 20 years after the attack, Khan was finally convicted for his role in the crime. Jurors deliberated for almost 19 hours over the course of four days at Leeds Crown Court before reaching a verdict. Six other men, part of Khan’s gang, were also found guilty of various offenses related to the robbery, including murder, manslaughter, robbery, and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
During the trial, details emerged about the events leading up to and following the robbery. Khan was reported to have partied with sex workers and consumed champagne on the eve of the raid. After the robbery, the group gathered at a safe house in Harehills, Leeds, where the shooter shaved off his hair in a panicked state.
PC Teresa Milburn, a colleague of PC Beshenivsky, was wounded during the botched raid at the travel agency. Despite efforts to save her, PC Beshenivsky succumbed to her injuries, becoming the seventh serving female police officer to be killed in the line of duty in Britain. The trial revealed harrowing details of the incident, with PC Milburn recounting the moment she and her colleague were shot by an armed robber at point-blank range.
Khan, identified as the seventh man convicted in connection with the fatal raid, played a pivotal role in orchestrating the robbery at Universal Express. Despite his denial of possessing prior knowledge of the impending robbery, evidence presented during the trial pointed to his involvement in planning the crime. The jury was informed that Khan was present in a vehicle nearby during the robbery, indicating his active role in the events that transpired.