Pc murder trial told of robbery

Mustaf Jama's brother has been convicted of the officer's murder

The victim of an armed robbery that led to the shooting of Pc Sharon Beshenivsky has told a court how he was tied up and beaten with a gun.

Faris Khokar told Newcastle Crown Court his family were held up at gunpoint at Universal Travel Agents in Morley Street, Bradford, on 18 November 2005.

Pc Beshenivsky, 38, was shot dead after responding to an alarm call triggered by shop staff.

Mustaf Jama, 28, admits robbery but denies murder and firearms offences.

Mr Khokar told the jury his hands were bound and he was beaten with a gun during the robbery.

'Give us your money'

He said "I just remember hearing a noise like a shriek from my brother, and I looked to my right and saw one of the men jump over the counter."

Mr Khokar said he saw the two black men enter the office separately, and one of them holding a gun who was later identified as Mustaf's brother Yusuf Jama, who has previously been convicted over the death of Pc Beshenivsky.

"There was a lot of commotion. They said they wanted money. It was something to the effect of: 'give us your money'."

Mr Khokar then fell to the ground and was tied up by the man he later told police was Yusuf Jama.

He told the court this man had threatened to kill him as he was tying him up.

"I remember him saying, 'I'm going to kill you'. He said that quietly, he said it towards my ear. He was struggling to tie me up.

"They said they wanted £50,000. I remember saying we didn't really have any money because my brother had already been to the bank."

Five convicted

The ordeal ended when the three robbers realised the police had arrived and they fled.

Mr Khokar said he heard the sound of gunshots as the gang tried to get away.

The court heard Pc Beshenivsky was shot once in the chest. The mother of three children and two stepchildren had been a serving constable for just nine months.

Her colleague, Pc Teresa Milburn, then 37, was injured when she was shot as the robbers tried to escape with the money they had taken.

Mr Jama has admitted one count of robbery. He denies murder, possessing firearms and possessing prohibited weapons.

Five other men have already been convicted in connection with Pc Beshenivsky's death. They include Yusuf Jama.

The trial continues.