THREE men involved in the murder of PC Sharon Beshenivsky walked into a travel agents dressed smartly and carrying a bag with a machine gun, pistol and knife in an armed robbery planned by a man who fled the country shortly after, a court heard.

Piran Ditta Khan, 75, of no fixed abode, is charged with the 38-year-old officer's murder in Bradford.

He is on trial at Leeds Crown Court more than three years after he was arrested in Pakistan, and about a year since he was brought back to the UK by West Yorkshire Police officers.

Khan denies murdering PC Beshenivsky, who died on November 18, in 2005 on the pavement of Morley Street, outside Universal Travel Express in the city's west end.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

The court heard in the prosecution's opening statement today that PC Beshenivsky and a colleague were shot "at almost point blank range" by one of three men who were leaving Universal Travel Express after committing a robbery.

This was masterminded by Khan, according to Robert Smith KC, for the prosecution.

He alone knew the location of the premises in question and its interior, the court heard.

Part of the plan included the three men entering the travel agents "dressed for the occasion".

Two had suits on and the third was wearing a smart white shirt with a jacket.

Mr Smith said: "This conduct was a result of knowledge and the need to present themselves as respectable to be permitted into the premises."

This was because it had an entrance area that could be seen from the main lobby, and access was only granted from inside via an electronic door.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Police in Morley Street after the incident

The men carried a laptop bag containing a 9mm self-loading pistol, machine gun, and knife.

Both guns were loaded with live ammunition, the court heard.

Mr Smith said the bag also contained "several cable ties for the intended purpose of tying up the staff".

Khan was parked up outside in a car with a driver, communicating the plan, while another vehicle containing two other men kept lookout, the court heard.

But Mr Smith said: "The prosecution submit that the defendant was responsible for organising this robbery, in the knowledge that loaded firearms were to be carried pivotal."

Mr Smith pointed out: "He was not one of the men who physically carried out the robbery, or the shooting.

"The defendant in fact did not leave the safety of the Mercedes SLK at any time during the robbery and remained at a clear distance from the premises.

"But the prosecution say his role in these offences were pivotal and the part he played in such the prosecution contend he is also guilty for the murder of PC Sharon Beshenivsky."

Khan's links with Bradford were also highlighted in court.

Mr Smith said: "This was a city in which the defendant had lived and worked for many years and with which he was familiar."

"Universal Travel Express was an established business which served not only as a travel agent, but serviced a high number of transactions transferring money with banks in Pakistan, money which was given in cash by people.

He said "substantial quantities of cash kept on premises at night" and pointed out that Khan had used the service.

"On one of these occasions he had been into the premises personally to carry out this transaction," said Mr Smith.

"Prosecution say significantly he knew the business carried large quantities of cash.," he added.

Mr Smith said: "He knew this would need five men, required to be carrying firearms to overcome the security/staff, or at least threaten them, before police were alerted."

Khan also denies two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and two counts of possessing a prohibited weapon on the day of the alleged murder.

The trial continues.