Friday 10 May 2024

Today at Leeds Crown Court Piran Ditta Khan has been sentenced for the murder of PC Sharon Beshenivsky in Bradford in 2005. 

The Judge Mr Justice Hilliard, sentenced Piran Ditta Khan to life in prison with a minimum term of 40 years.

The family of PC Beshenivsky have released the below statement which was read outside court by the Family Liaison Officer Linzie Holroyd.  

 

“The 18th November 2005 is a date that will remain etched in our memories forever. What started as a happy, special day to celebrate Lydia’s fourth birthday, was a day that ended in devastating, sad consequences due to the callous actions of Piran Ditta Khan and his associates.
 
“Since then, the 18th November is no longer a birthday celebration (for Lydia and us all) but now a day of remembrance and memorial.

 

“That was the day the lives of our family and those close to Sharon changed forever. As well as Sharon’s friend and colleague Teresa, and her family.

 

“November 2005 was the start of an almost 19-year journey.  A journey seeking the truth and justice for Sharon, who was not just a police officer, but a loving mum, wife, daughter, sister, and a friend to many.

 

“Our journey seeking justice and closure of the judicial process is now at an end.  This journey has and continues to be difficult for us all.  Enduring several trials over the years has been hard, each one of them taking us back to the very beginning, which made us feel like we had lost Sharon all over again.  And now we once again pick up the pieces of our lives and continue forward as Sharon would have wanted us all to do.

 

“We would like to thank all those who have been involved in the investigation and criminal justice process for their tireless dedication, perseverance, support, and attention to detail which has made this day possible.
 
“We respect the findings of the court and thank the jury for the diligence and care they took over considering all the evidence during the eight-week trial.

 

“No prison sentence could ever compensate us for Sharon’s life and our loss, but we will move forward knowing that justice has been served. 
 

Assistant Chief Constable Patrick Twiggs of West Yorkshire Police said:

“We welcome the life sentence handed down to Khan today. This is a day of mixed emotions. On the one hand we are pleased to get the final conviction in this case, but on the other hand we are sad as it has brought into sharp focus the completely unnecessary waste of life that day.

“For 18 years we have never given up on getting justice for Sharon and Teresa, and today their families have received that justice.

“Sharon was murdered in the line of duty, in what was a totally unnecessary act. Sharon was doing her job and protecting the public.

“The pain and anguish of what happened on that day and the profound sense of loss, will come flooding back to her family, friends, Police and the local community. It was a day we will never forget.

“We never gave up, we relentlessly pursued Khan even when things got tough, we never gave up.

“I would like to thank our partners including the CPS, NCA, Pakistani authorities and all police forces over the years who have helped us in this investigation.

“I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Sharon’s family and Teresa and all who were affected that day.

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