Advanced Search

Prosecuting Homicide

Murder and manslaughter are two of the offences that constitute homicide.

Manslaughter can be committed in one of three ways:

  1. killing with the intent for murder but where there is provocation, diminished responsibility or a suicide pact.
  2. conduct that was grossly negligent given the risk of death, and resulted in death.
  3. conduct, taking the form of an unlawful act involving a danger of some harm, that caused death.

With some exceptions, the crime of murder is committed, where a person:

  • of sound mind and discretion (i.e. sane):
  • unlawfully kills (i.e. not self-defence or other justified killing)
  • any reasonable creature (human being)
  • in being (born alive and breathing through its own lungs)
  • under the Queen's Peace
  • with intent to kill or cause grievous bodily harm.

There are other specific homicide offences, for example, infanticide, causing death by dangerous driving, and corporate manslaughter.

Find out more about prosecuting homicide

Home » News Centre » Press Releases » Four guilty of causing death of PC Sharon Beshenivsky

Four guilty of causing death of PC Sharon Beshenivsky

19/12/2006

The callous murder of PC Sharon Beshenivsky on November 18 last year led to one of the most challenging and complex cases ever handled by West Yorkshire Crown Prosecution Service.

Following the verdicts, CPS West Yorkshire's Chief Crown Prosecutor, Neil Franklin said: "While only one person pulled the trigger, all the men convicted today were responsible for PC Beshenivsky's death.

"The prosecution case demonstrated that their only concern was getting the money which they believed was held at Universal Express, and that they were prepared to use violence to obtain it.

"One of the weapons was fired during their escape, showing a willingness to use violence and their utter contempt for human life and a clear understanding that someone could be seriously injured or killed."

Muzzaker Imtiaz Shah was charged with murder, attempted murder, robbery, two charges of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and two charges of possessing a prohibited weapon.

The other defendants - Yusuf Abdillah Jama, Raza Ul-Haq Aslam, Faisal Razzaq and Hassan Razzaq - were all charged with murder, robbery, two charges of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and two charges of possessing a prohibited weapon.

This was an extremely complicated case and involved thousands of hours of work during the trial. A huge amount of material was examined to ensure the strongest case possible could be put to the jury including:

  • Mobile phone evidence which helped identify the location of the defendants and their planning of the robbery
  • Fingerprint evidence
  • Scientific evidence
  • Vast amounts of CCTV evidence
  • Numerous eye witness accounts
  • Bad character evidence proving a pattern of behaviour with firearms

Mr Franklin said: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank Senior Investigating Officer Andy Brennan and his team, prosecuting counsel and the CPS prosecutor, Helen Gaunt, who have worked tirelessly to ensure these men were brought to justice.

"At this time our thoughts are with PC Beshenivsky's family, friends and colleagues, and PC Milburn, who has bravely returned to active duty on the streets of West Yorkshire. We hope they can take some small comfort from today's verdicts."

  1. PC Sharon Beshenivsky was shot outside Universal Express travel agents in Bradford on 18 November 2005.
  2. For further information including interviews with Neil Franklin please contact CPS Press Office on 0207 796 8079 or Trudy Green on 0113 290 2839.