Faisal Razzaq, who received a life sentence for the manslaughter of PC Sharon Beshenivsky, was jailed for life with a minimum term of eight years at Harrow Crown Court after being caught supplying illegal guns to criminals. The 44-year-old had been released from prison in 2017 after serving 11 years for his role in the fatal shooting of the police officer in Bradford in November 2005.
Covert surveillance exposes double life
Razzaq had posed as the boss of a legitimate luxury car hire firm after his release, but a covert police surveillance operation, including a bug placed in his car, uncovered his involvement in a criminal network that converted and supplied weapons. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell or transfer prohibited firearms, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life, along with two counts of possessing a firearm and ammunition when a prohibited person.
Razzaq was arrested in September 2024, days after telling a fellow gang member that if police tried to detain him, he should not hesitate to shoot at them to escape. Detective Chief Inspector James Tipple said: "This is shocking and a very worrying things to hear from somebody who had already served a lengthy prison sentence for his involvement in the fatal shooting of a police officer." He added: "It clearly demonstrated to the investigation team the dangerousness of Razzaq and the urgent need to arrest him as quickly as possible."
Weapons and ammunition found
Police linked Razzaq to the supply of ten weapons, including Scorpion machine guns and semi-automatic pistols. A loaded converted blank firing Turkish Cionic P320 pistol was found in a silver Audi driven by an associate heading to the Notting Hill Carnival in August 2024. Officers also found modified ammunition using hollow point bullets designed to expand on impact, described as especially dangerous. A raid on Razzaq's home in Edgware, north-west London, uncovered a blank firearm in a hidden compartment in a makeshift wardrobe.
Investigators described Razzaq as "a middler" in the network. A counter-terror officer, who cannot be named for their own safety, said: "As he was in prison for a long time, Razzaq's network was quite wide." The court heard Razzaq had five previous convictions for 18 offences, including manslaughter over PC Beshenivsky's death and the kidnap and robbery of a 17-year-old.
Manslaughter conviction and gang sentenced
PC Beshenivsky was shot dead at point-blank range on November 18, 2005, while responding to a robbery at Universal Express travel agents in Bradford. Razzaq drove the lead car of the gang's convoy and acted as a lookout. A jury cleared him of murder but convicted him of manslaughter. His colleague PC Teresa Milburn, then 37, was wounded.
Five other members of the network were sentenced at Harrow Crown Court. Abdul Saleh, 32, received seven years and six months. Patrick Loughnane, 59, was sentenced to eight years and six months, and his niece Tammy Rigg, 39, to five years and three months. Ricky Dorey, 43, was jailed for ten years, and his brother Robert Dorey, 44, for eight years. Robert Dorey had been released on licence in May 2023 after serving 16 years for attempted murder.
Network dismantled
Other members were jailed at Kingston Crown Court in February, including far-right extremist Thomas McKenna, 60, who received 16 years for selling guns while preparing for a "race war" against Muslims and immigrants. His girlfriend Tina Smith, 55, was jailed for seven years. Allan Crosby, 44, and Ryan Smith, 44, received ten years and seven-and-a-half years respectively.
Detective Inspector Andy Durham, from the Met's Specialist Crime Command, said: "Today's sentences bring this complex investigation to its conclusion. Faisal Razzaq, someone who was previously involved in the fatal shooting of a police officer, played a pivotal role in moving these dangerous converted firearms onto London's streets." He added: "Last year alone, officers seized 676 firearms, a 75 per cent increase on 2024. Our teams will continue to relentlessly target anyone involved in gun crime."
