PC Sharon Beshenivsky, 38, was shot dead while responding to an armed robbery at a travel agents in Bradford, West Yorkshire, in 2005.

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Her colleague PC Teresa Milburn, who was 37 at the time, was left seriously injured after a gunman opened fire “indiscriminately” as he fled the scene, jurors heard.

Piran Ditta Khan is on trial charged with murder, two 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 told he was brought back to the UK last year following an extradition request from the government.

Six men have been convicted over the botched robbery, with Khan now the seventh to go on trial.

Jurors heard he is not one of the three men who carried out the raid and did not shoot mum-of-one PC Beshenivsky.

He “did not leave the safety” of a Mercedes SLK which was being used as a lookout car, it was said.

Khan allegedly masterminded the robbery “in the knowledge that loaded firearms were to be carried”, prosecutor Robert Smith KC said.

The court was told the robbers were “disposed to use their firearms to kill or to seriously injure anyone who stood in their way… something of which the defendant would have been well aware”.

Mr Smith added: “The part [Khan] played was such that the prosecution contends he is also guilty of the murder of Sharon Beshenivsky.”

Khan had allegedly used the Universal Express travel agents before and was aware large amounts of cash were kept on the premises during the day.

He is accused of carrying out a reconnaissance mission five days before the horror.

On the morning of PC Beshenivsky’s death, Khan gathered with his six accomplices at a home in Leeds, jurors heard.

One of the men had asked him how much money they could expect to get, with Khan allegedly responding a £50,000 and a maximum of £100,000.

The gang then made their way to the premises – with two “dressed for the occasion in suits“.

Armed robbery

One 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 cable to tie up staff.

Three cars were involved in the robbery a 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 made her way into the building, one of the men stretched his hand out and pointed at her.

Mr Smith said: “After this man shot Sharon Beshenivsky, Teresa Milburn saw him move his pistol towards her.

“She heard a bang and felt immense pain. She knew immediately she had been shot.”

PC Beshenivsky’s injury was immediately fatal, while her colleague managed to radio for help while coughing up blood, jurors heard.

The court heard the other men involved in the robbery have been convicted of offences including murder, manslaughter, robbery and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Khan, who had a “settled business and domestic life in England and Scotland” before leaving the UK, denies the charges.

The trial continues.

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