PC killer Faisal Razzaq handed second life sentence over London gun conspiracy

Six jailed as judge warns firearms are 'a modern plague on our streets'

By LineZotpaper

Published22 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Faisal Razzaq, one of the men convicted over the killing of PC Sharon Beshenivsky in Bradford, was handed a second life sentence on Thursday for his part in a conspiracy that supplied firearms to gangs across London. Five others were jailed alongside him for their roles in the same operation.

Faisal Razzaq was sentenced to life with a minimum of eight years on Thursday, after he 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 while banned.

Sentencing him, Judge Hannah Kinch said 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. It is no exaggeration to say that guns are a modern plague on our streets."

Razzaq, 45, was one of six people sentenced for a conspiracy that supplied weapons to gangs across London. The case follows an earlier conviction: in 2006 he was found guilty of manslaughter for his role in the botched robbery in which PC Sharon Beshenivsky was shot dead in Bradford, West Yorkshire. He was sentenced to life with a minimum of 11 years and was released on parole in 2017.

After his release, he lived in Edgware, north London, and ran a luxury car hire business, during which time he obtained guns and sold them to criminal customers.

Five others received custodial sentences for their roles in the conspiracy. Robert Dorey, 45, was given eight years; Ricky Dorey, 44, ten years; Abdul Rahman Saleh, 32, seven years and six months; Patrick Loughnane, 59, eight years and six months; and Tammy Rigg, 40, five years and three months.

Analysis

Why This Matters

A man convicted over the killing of a police officer used his freedom after parole to become a firearms supplier to criminal gangs.
The sentences target the illegal gun market in London, where weapons from such supply networks are linked to violent crime.
The case is likely to renew public debate over parole decisions and the supervision of serious offenders after release.

Background

Razzaq's first conviction came in 2006, when he was sentenced to life with a minimum of 11 years for manslaughter over the botched robbery in Bradford in which PC Sharon Beshenivsky was shot dead. He was granted parole in 2017.

According to the case presented in court and reported by BBC London, after his release Razzaq settled in Edgware, north London, and used a luxury car hire business as cover while obtaining and selling guns to criminal customers. The conspiracy he joined supplied weapons to gangs across the capital.

Key Perspectives

The courts: Judge Hannah Kinch told the court that the seriousness of gun crime could not be overstated, describing guns as a plague on the streets that kill, maim and devastate victims' lives. The defendants: Razzaq pleaded guilty to the firearms conspiracy and possession charges. The five others sentenced on Thursday received terms ranging from five years and three months to ten years. Critics and observers: The case may sharpen scrutiny of the parole system, since Razzaq was released in 2017 and then built a gun-selling operation in the community. It also highlights how legitimate businesses can be used as cover for illegal arms dealing.

What to Watch

Razzaq's new minimum term of eight years, which he must serve before any further parole consideration.
Whether police investigations trace the weapons supply chain further and identify additional conspirators.
Any appeal against the sentences, and the wider political response to gun crime in London.

Sources

Second life term for PC killer over gun conspiracy · BBC London

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12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.

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SupportedFaisal Razzaq was handed a second life sentence on Thursday for his role in a London gun conspiracy.BBC London: “One of the men convicted of killing a police officer has been handed a second life sentence for his role in a gun conspiracy.”
SupportedSix people were sentenced for the firearms conspiracy.BBC London: “The 45-year-old was one of six people sentenced on Thursday for his involvement in a firearms conspiracy which supplied weapons to gangs across London.”
SupportedJudge Hannah Kinch said guns were “a modern plague on our streets”.BBC London: “It is no exaggeration to say that guns are a modern plague on our streets.”
SupportedRazzaq received life imprisonment with a minimum term of eight years.BBC London: “Judge Hannah Kinch sentenced him to life with a minimum of eight years in prison”
SupportedRazzaq 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.BBC London: “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.”
SupportedRazzaq was convicted of manslaughter in 2006 for his role in the botched robbery in which PC Sharon Beshenivsky was shot dead.BBC London: “Razzaq was convicted of manslaughter in 2006 and was sentenced to life with a minimum of 11 years in prison.”
SupportedAfter his parole, Razzaq lived in Edgware, ran a luxury car hire business, and obtained and sold guns to criminal customers.BBC London: “When Razzaq was given parole after he served his manslaughter sentence, he lived in Edgware, north London, and began running a luxury car hire business. During this time he obtained guns and sold them to criminal customers.”
SupportedRobert Dorey, 45, was given eight years.BBC London: “Robert Dorey, 45, was given eight years”
SupportedRicky Dorey, 44, was given 10 years.BBC London: “Ricky Dorey, 44, was given 10 years”
SupportedAbdul Rahman Saleh, 32, was given seven years and six months.BBC London: “Abdul Rahman Saleh, 32, was given seven years and six months”
SupportedPatrick Loughnane, 59, was given eight years and six months.BBC London: “Patrick Loughnane, 59, was given eight years and six months”
SupportedTammy Rigg, 40, was given five years and three months.BBC London: “Tammy Rigg, 40, was given five years and three months”