Sharon Beshenivsky: Piran Ditta Khan sentenced to life in prison for killing a computer

The 75-year-old ringleader of an armed robbery in which a police officer was shot nearly 20 years ago has been jailed for life for her murder.

Piran Ditta Khan spent almost two decades escaping justice for his role in the murder of PC Sharon Beshenivsky in Bradford on November 18, 2005.

Khan, who was extradited from Pakistan last year, was convicted of murder following a trial at Leeds Crown Court.

He was told he would serve a minimum sentence of 40 years in prison.

The judge, the Honorable Mr Justice Hilliard, said PC Beshenivsky’s “courage and commitment to her duty that day cost her her life”.

He told Khan: “The sentence I promise is no measure of the value of the life that was lost.

“It’s beyond measure and no sentence I promise can right what you’ve done wrong.”

PC Beshenivsky was responding to reports of an armed robbery at Universal Express travel agencies on Morley Street in Bradford with her colleague PC Teresa Milburn when she was fatally attacked.

The two officers arrived at the scene at around 15:30 GMT, but as they approached the entrance, three men came out of the premises, shooting them both.

PC Milburn was seriously injured.

The court was told how PC Beshenivsky had been discussing his daughter Lydia’s family birthday party with PC Milburn when he heard the call for help.

“We can say with absolute certainty that her thoughts were with her family shortly before she died,” the judge said.

In a statement read outside the court, PC Beshenivsky’s family said: “18 November 2005 is a date that will remain etched in our memories forever.

“What started as a happy and special day to celebrate Lydia’s fourth birthday, was a day that ended with devastating and sad consequences due to the painful actions of Piran Ditta Khan and his associates.

“Since then, November 18 is no longer a birthday celebration – for Lydia and for all of us – but now a day of commemoration and commemoration.

“That was the day our family and those close to Sharon’s lives changed forever. As does Sharon’s friend and colleague Teresa and her family.”

Speaking after the sentencing, ACC Patrick Twiggs of West Yorkshire Police said: “Two mums went to work that day – two ordinary people doing extraordinary work for the public. One did not return home and one did not return home at the same time. way.

“All those years ago we promised ourselves that we would track down every last member of this gang and today we have achieved it.

“West Yorkshire Police will continue to honor Sharon’s memory, we still mourn her loss, we still miss her, she will forever be in our thoughts.”