Extradited Pakistani Pensioner, Piran Ditta Khan, Denies 18-Year-Old Police Officer's Murder from 2005

In a significant development, a pensioner who was extradited from Pakistan has adamantly denied the charges of murdering police officer Sharon Beshenivsky, a case dating back 18 years. 

Piran Ditta Khan, aged 74, stands accused of being connected to a fatal robbery at a travel agency that took place on November 18, 2005. During a hearing at Leeds Crown Court, Khan firmly entered a not guilty plea regarding the murder of the officer and the alleged possession of a submachine gun.

The courtroom proceedings revealed that Khan also refuted two counts of possessing a firearm with the intent to endanger life and two additional counts related to possessing prohibited weapons. However, he admitted to one count of robbery, which pertains to the act of robbing Mohammed Yousaf and seizing a sum of money.

During the pre-trial hearing, the bearded Khan utilized a Punjabi interpreter, although he delivered his pleas in English. It had been suggested in a previous hearing that he might have difficulties with his hearing. The charges involving firearms revolve around the purported possession of a Mac 10 submachine gun and a 9mm pistol.

Furthermore, Khan faces charges of possessing a prohibited weapon for each of the firearms. Specifically, the submachine gun charge alleges that it was "designed or adapted so two or more missiles could be successfully discharged without repeated pressure on the trigger."

Judge Mr. Justice Hilliard presided over the proceedings via videolink from the Old Bailey and decided to keep Khan in custody until the next hearing. The trial is scheduled to commence in February of next year and is expected to extend over a period of six weeks.

The tragic incident in question involved the shooting of PC Beshenivsky, aged 38, as she responded to a robbery at Universal Travel in Bradford, West Yorkshire. Her colleague, PC Teresa Milburn, suffered serious injuries. 

Khan, who was extradited from Pakistan in April, is believed to be the owner of Indian restaurants in Scotland.

[SOURCE]