Murdered UK policewoman trial starts

LONDON, Oct 12 (Reuters) Prosecutors today will begin outlining their case at the start of the murder trial of policewoman Sharon Beshenivsky, who was gunned down last November in Bradford as she responded to an emergency call.

One of five men charged with her murder, Muzzaker Shah, has already pleaded guilty, but the four other defendants -- brothers Faisal and Hassan Razzaq, Yusuf Jama, and Raza Aslam -- all deny killing the 38-year-old.

Shah, 25, admitted last week to killing the officer, but the plea could not be reported publicly until yesterday when the judge lifted a legal ban.

Shah, who has also admitted various firearms charges, has denied the attempted murder of Teresa Milburn, Beshenivsky's police partner who was wounded in the shoulder.

Beshenivsky, a serving officer for less than a year, was killed on November 18, 2005, her youngest daughter's 4th birthday.

A mother to three children and two step-children, she was shot in the chest as she and Milburn went to investigate a suspected armed robbery at Universal Travel Agents.

Her death dominated the headlines for weeks and drew comment from Prime Minister Tony Blair and then Home Secretary Charles Clarke.

It also prompted the question of whether more police officers should be armed as a matter of course.

Her funeral was broadcast live on television and thousands turned out to pay their respects. Hundreds of police officers lined the streets of Bradford as Beshenivsky's cortege made its way to the city's cathedral.

REUTERS DH RAI0614