Beshenivsky killer given second life sentence for gun conspiracy

One of the men convicted of killing police officer Sharon Beshenivsky has been handed a second life sentence, for his role in a gun conspiracy.

Faisal Razzaq started selling firearms to criminals after serving a prison sentence for his role in a botched robbery that ended in Pc Beshenivsky being shot dead.

Razzaq, who acted as the getaway driver for the raid in Bradford, West Yorkshire, was sentenced to life with a minimum of 11 years in prison after he was convicted of manslaughter in 2006.

When he was given parole in 2017, he lived in Edgware, north London, and began running a luxury car hire business, but spent much of his time obtaining guns and selling them to criminal customers.

Razzaq, now 45, was one of six people sentenced on Thursday for his involvement in a firearms conspiracy which supplied weapons to gangs across London.

Judge Hannah Kinch sentenced him to life with a minimum of eight years in prison, telling the court that the seriousness of gun crime "could not be overstated".

"Criminals use guns to terrorise others... Guns kill, they maim, they devastate the lives of their victims," Judge Kinch said.

"It is no exaggeration to say that guns are a modern plague on our streets," she said.

"It is for that reason that when such offences come before the courts, they will be met with serious sentences," Judge Kinch said.

Razzaq previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell or transfer banned guns, possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life, and two counts of possessing a firearm and ammunition when banned.

Harrow Crown Court heard that while serving his sentence over Pc Beshenivsky's death, Razzaq was at HMP Ranby at the same time as one of his co-defendants in the firearms conspiracy, Robert Dorey, from 2013 to 2015.

Prosecutors said Razzaq played "a central role" in the conspiracy, which saw Robert Dorey, 45, and his brother Ricky Dorey, 44, passing guns on to Razzaq, who sold them on to criminals.

Razzaq also enlisted the help of Abdul Saleh, 32.

In August 2024, Razzaq, the Dorey brothers and Saleh were involved in the sale of 10 revolvers.

Police discovered their roles in the conspiracy through a probe placed inside Razzaq's car, which recorded his conversations.

The court heard that on 22nd August, Razzaq drove Saleh to his home in Edgware, and they discussed selling a gun to a customer, as well as how many rounds of ammunition are routinely sold alongside a weapon.

Razzaq told Saleh that if the police attempted to detain him, he should not hesitate to shoot at them in order to escape.

"Feds try and grab you just shoot at the car, shoot in the air. I don't care where you shoot but you've got to shoot bro," Razzaq told Saleh.

As to who a weapon is sold to, Razzaq said: "I'll sell it to anyone I don't give a f*** bro. We're businessmen Harry, we don't care."

The court heard that between 27th August and 1st September, there were discussions between Ricky and Robert Dorey and Razzaq, in which they discussed the supply of firearms.

Police searched Razzaq's home on Buckingham Road on 2nd September, and found a pistol and eight rounds of ammunition in a bag at the bottom of a makeshift wardrobe.

Guns Razzaq sold have been traced to Thomas McKenna, who was jailed in February for converting blank-firing guns into deadly pistols.

Ricky Dorey was jailed for 10 years, Robert Dorey for eight years, and Saleh for seven years and six months. All three had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell prohibited firearms.

Patrick Loughnane, 59, who acted as a communication link between Ricky Dorey and McKenna, was jailed for eight years and six months for conspiracy to sell or transfer prohibited firearms.

Loughnane's niece, Tammy Rigg, 40, who agreed to store a converted firearm at her home in South Ockendon, was jailed for five years and three months for possession of a prohibited firearm and possession of ammunition without a certificate.

Razzaq was one of seven men convicted over the robbery that led to Pc Beshenivsky's death on 18th November 2005.

The officer was killed on her daughter's fourth birthday while interrupting the robbery at family-run Universal Express travel agents.