PC Ian Broadhurst honoured on 20th anniversary of his murder in Leeds

People gathered to pay tribute to PC Broadhurst at the spot he was shot on Boxing Day

Family, friends and colleagues of a police officer murdered in a Boxing Day attack have marked the 20th anniversary of his death.

PC Ian Broadhurst, 34, was shot dead by former US Marine David Bieber in Leeds on 26 December 2003.

He and two colleagues had been checking on a suspected stolen car at the time.

A memorial service at the spot in Oakwood PC Broadhurst was murdered was led by a police chaplain, with wreaths also being laid.

Craig Nicolls QGM, chair of West Yorkshire Police Federation, said: "Ian will never be forgotten, his sacrifice will never be forgotten, his memory will live on."

He said it had been an "honour" to take part in the service.

PC Ian Broadhurst was shot after checking on a suspected stolen car

A candle was also lit at West Yorkshire Police's headquarters in PC Broadhurst's memory.

Force Chief Constable John Robins said the murder had been "shocking and a totally unnecessary act of barbarity," adding the officer had made the "ultimate sacrifice" while protecting the public.

He said "the sense of loss and sadness" his death had brought had not lessened over the past 20 years and that they would continue "to honour his memory".

Wreaths were placed during the memorial service

PC Broadhurst and his colleagues PC Neil Roper and PC James Banks were shot by Bieber, who was wanted for offences in the US, after they noticed his vehicle was displaying false number plates while parked on Dib Lane in the Oakwood area.

PC Broadhurst's colleagues survived the shooting.

Bieber, 42, was later found guilty of murder and attempted murder and was jailed for life, with a recommendation he should never be released.

However, the High Court later ruled he should serve a minimum of 37 years in prison before being considered for parole.

Bieber would receive another life sentence in November 2022 for an attack on a prison officer