Beshenivsky killer Mustaf Jama starts appeal

Jama was convicted of the officer's murder at Newcastle Crown Court last year

A man who murdered a policewoman during a bungled robbery has started an appeal against his conviction on the eve of the fifth anniversary of her death.

Mustaf Jama was part of a gang that shot Pc Sharon Beshenivsky in Bradford on 18 November 2005.

Jama, who fled to his native Somalia after the murder, was brought back to the UK last year and sentenced to life in prison with a 35-year minimum term.

His appeal began at the Court of Appeal in London on Wednesday.

Pc Beshenivsky, 38, had been a serving constable for nine months when she was killed after responding to an alarm call at a travel agency in Morley Street.

She left behind her husband, Paul, three children and two stepchildren.

Pc Beshenivsky's colleague, Pc Teresa Milburn, was wounded by the gang, who escaped with little more than £5,000.

Jama, who had denied murder, was convicted after a retrial at Newcastle Crown Court.

He did not fire the fatal shot, but the prosecution at his trial said he was "as much guilty of murder" as the gunman.

Five other men have also been convicted in connection with the officer's death.

They include Jama's younger brother Yusuf and gang boss Muzzaker Shah, who is thought to have fired the shot which killed Pc Beshenivsky.