Caught...gang boss who faked own death to escape

Fugitive failed to fool cops

- LUCY THORNTON

THE gang boss found guilty of murdering PC Sharon Beshenivsky attempted to escape detectives by repeatedly faking his death.

British police received intelligence at least two times claiming Piran Ditta Khan, 75, had died in Pakistan.

But he enjoyed a millionaire's lifestyle after setting up as a property developer.

Former Det Supt Andy Brennan, who led the hunt for the killers, told how on the first occasion they were told Khan had died in a road traffic collision.

Then they were told the fugitive died of natural causes.

In 2020, the Mirror travelled to Pakistan and found Khan used several aliases to evade capture.

He also faked his death by registering a grave in his home village.

But Mr Brennan said these efforts failed to fool police in the inquiries over PC Beshenivsky's killing and the shooting of PC Teresa Milburn.