Pc murder accused 'wants reward'

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A man accused of the murder of Pc Sharon Beshenivsky has told a court he believes he is entitled to a reward for helping police catch her killers.

Raza Ul-Haq Aslam, from north London, rang Crimestoppers and passed on information after the officer was shot during a botched armed robbery.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Mr Aslam, 25, asked Crimestoppers about the Â£100,000 reward money during his call.

He has denied having any part in the robbery and murder in Bradford.

Mr Aslam insisted the first he knew of the officer's murder was when the gang returned to their base where he worked as a handyman.

The 25-year-old is one of four men accused of Pc Beshenivsky's murder at the Universal Express travel agents on 18 November last year.

I haven't done nothing wrong, why shouldn't I have it? Raza Ul-Haq Aslam

The court heard Mr Aslam, 25, of St Pancras Way, Kentish Town, rang Crimestoppers using the name Alex on 6 December.

He told officers an 8mm pistol with a silencer had been fired three times.

"It was this weapon that killed Sharon," he told Crimestoppers.

Robert Smith QC, prosecuting, asked Mr Aslam if he believed he was entitled to the Â£100,000 reward money.

He said: "I would like Â£100,000. I haven't done nothing wrong, why shouldn't I have it?"

The court also heard the defendant told Crimestoppers one of his co-accused, Muzzaker Shah, was in Wales, where he was later arrested.

Muzzaker Shah has already pleaded guilty to murder

When asked why he waited until 6 December to contact police about the raid, Mr Aslam said: "Someone had just shot a police officer.

"These are people that I know, they know where I live.

"They know where my family live. I was confused."

Mr Aslam, Faisal Razzaq, 25, and his 26-year-old brother Hassan, both of Sebert Road, Forest Gate, east London, all deny murder.

Yusuf Jamma, 20, of Whitmore Road, Small Heath, Birmingham, admits robbery and firearms offences but denies murder.

A fifth man, Muzzaker Imtiaz Shah, 25, has already pleaded guilty to murder but denies firing the shot that killed Pc Beshenivsky.

He was earlier cleared of the attempted murder of her colleague, Pc Teresa Milburn.

The trial has been adjourned until Wednesday.