Two men who connived to try to help one of PC Sharon Beshenivsky's murderers escape justice will be sentenced next month.

Hewan Gordon, 36, pleaded guilty to sheltering cold-blooded killer Muzzaker Shah just as his trial was to start today.

Gordon's co-accused, Adrian Robinson, 24, of Colindale, north London, admitted the offence in January.

Shah, 25, was locked up for a minimum of 35 years in December last year for murdering the 38-year-old officer during a robbery in Bradford in November 2005.

Judge Stephen Ashurst warned Gordon he could go to prison after his barrister Harold Baker conceded it was a serious offence.

Gordon and Robinson admit providing accommodation with intent to impede the apprehension or prosecution of Shah, a person who had committed murder, knowing or believing him to be guilty of the offence, or some other offence that carries a term of imprisonment of five years or more.

Gordon's offence took place between November 25 - a week after PC Beshenivsky was gunned down - and December 13, 2005.

Robinson's involvement began five days earlier.

Mr Baker said Gordon pleaded guilty on the basis that he only found out about Shah after the killer hid in Cromwell Road, Newport.

But Mr Baker added: "He's under no illusion about the seriousness of the offence."

Shah, of London, pleaded guilty at Newcastle Crown Court to the murder of PC Beshenivsky, 38, during a robbery at the Universal Travel Agents in Morley Street, Bradford.

The murder trial jury was told Shah was arrested in Newport, Wales, on December 12, 2005.

Gwent Police said Shah and another man were challenged by firearms officers as they walked out of an alley in Cromwell Road, Newport.

When asked his name, Shah said: "Just take me to the police station."

Gordon and Robinson denied assisting Shah to buy household items and food.

Gordon's trial was set to start at Leeds Crown Court yesterday and had been expected to last up to five days.

Gordon was bailed on condition he lives in Alexandra Road, Newport, Gwent.

Robinson was granted bail on condition that he is electronically tagged between 9pm and 7am and lives on the Grahame Park estate, in Colindale, north London.

Judge Ashurst adjourned sentence on both men to a date to be fixed next month.

He told Gordon: "The fact that I am adjourning your case for pre-sentence reports, and allowing you bail, is not to be taken by you as any promise or indication of the sentence you will receive.

"All sentencing options, including custody, will be available to the court when you return."

Shah and Yusuf Abdillh Jamma, 20, were jailed for a minimum 35 years each at Newcastle Crown Court last December for PC Beshenivsky's murder.

Hassan Razzaq, 26, and his younger brother, Faisal, 25, were cleared of the officer's murder but convicted of her manslaughter, robbery and firearms offences.

Both were given life sentences with Hassan Razzaq ordered to serve a minimum of 20 years and Faisal Razzaq a minimum of 11 years.

A fifth defendant Raza ul Haq Aslam, 26, was convicted of robbery.