Gang Member Who Drove Getaway Car in Police Murder Jailed for Arms Dealing

Faisal Razzaq, 45, who served as the getaway driver for the gang that murdered PC Sharon Beshenivsky in 2005, has been sentenced to two life terms for his leadership in an underworld gun supply operation.

Scotland Yard's Specialist Crime Command identified Razzaq as the supplier of reactivated blank-firing handguns to criminals across London. These weapons were converted by Thomas McKenna, 60, a self-proclaimed 'armourer' who stockpiled weapons and spoke of 'prepping for war' with Muslims.

Razzaq was previously jailed for life with a minimum of 11 years for manslaughter in connection with the murder of PC Beshenivsky. The officer was shot dead on November 18, 2005, as she responded to an armed robbery at a travel agent's in Bradford. Razzaq was waiting in one of two getaway cars during the incident.

Following his release in 2017, Razzaq established himself in the arms supply business, operating under the guise of a luxury car hire company. Police launched Operation Eatchief to dismantle his network, leading to the arrest of 11 individuals and the recovery of numerous converted firearms and weapons intended for conversion.

McKenna, living in a caravan site in South Ockenden, Essex, manufactured the converted handguns and also created explosive devices. Police raids on his property uncovered homemade grenades, precursor chemicals, and equipment for weapon modification. McKenna, a far-right extremist, was found to be stockpiling weapons and expressing intentions of violence against Muslims.

During the investigation, police bugged Razzaq's vehicle, capturing conversations that implicated him and his associates. In one recorded discussion, Razzaq instructed an associate to shoot at police if detained. He was ultimately arrested in September 2024.

Razzaq was sentenced to life with a minimum of eight years for conspiracy to sell firearms. He received concurrent sentences for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and possession of ammunition. McKenna was previously jailed for 16 years. Other individuals involved in the conspiracy, including Ricky Dorey, Robert Dorey, Abdul Rahman Saleh, Tina Smith, Allan Crosby, and Ryan Smith, received sentences ranging from seven to ten years for their roles in the supply and distribution of the firearms.