PC's alleged killer appears in court

A 27-year-old man was remanded in custody yesterday charged with the murder of Pc Sharon Beshenivsky.

Mustaf Jama appeared at Leeds Magistrates' Court accused of the murder of the 38-year-old officer, who was shot dead on November 18 2005 as she responded to a raid at a Bradford travel agency.

Jama was arrested in Somalia and flown back to the UK on Thursday.

He is charged with murder, robbery, two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and two charges of possessing a prohibited weapon.

Jama was dressed in a grey top and dark blue tracksuit bottoms for today's hearing.

He was flanked by two police officers throughout the five-minute hearing.

He was handcuffed as he was produced in court but they were removed at the request of District Judge Roy Anderson.

During the brief hearing, Jama spoke to confirm his name and date of birth. He told the court he could not remember his address.

Only one of the charges, that he murdered PC Sharon Beshenivsky on November 18 2005, was read to him in full.

He told the clerk of the court that he understood the charge.

He was remanded in custody by Judge Anderson and will next appear at the city's Crown Court on November 9.

There was no application for bail.

Pc Beshenivsky's colleague, Pc Teresa Milburn, was also shot and injured in the robbery at the Universal Express travel agency in Morley Street, Bradford.

Five people have been convicted in connection with Pc Beshenivsky's murder.