Man said ‘sorry’ before stabbing veteran MP Sir David Amess to death, court told
An alleged terrorist accused of killing veteran MP Sir David Amess apologised in the split-second before stabbing his victim, a court heard.
The final moments of Sir David’s life were detailed before jurors at the Old Bailey, where Ali Harbi Ali, 26, is on trial for murder and preparing acts of terrorism, on Monday afternoon.
Ali travelled from his home in Kentish Town in north London to a constituency meeting with 69-year-old Sir David to satisfy his “warped” desire to kill the politician over his foreign policy voting record, the court was told.
The defendant said, ‘Sorry’, and then pulled out a knife and stabbed Sir David Amess. Sir David screamed. The defendant stabbed him again. Indeed, he stabbed him multiple times in a vicious and frenzied attack
Tom Little QC, prosecuting, said Ali appeared “relaxed and chatty” after arriving at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on October 15 2021.
He launched his attack after his phone, placed on the table between him and Sir David, made a notification sound, jurors heard.
Mr Little said: “The defendant said, ‘Sorry’, and then pulled out a knife and stabbed Sir David Amess.
“Sir David screamed. The defendant stabbed him again.
“Indeed, he stabbed him multiple times in a vicious and frenzied attack.”
Two members of Sir David’s staff – Rebecca Hayton and Julie Cushion – called for help.
When Yvonne Eaves and Darren King offered to go and see Sir David, the defendant said this: ‘No, don’t come nearer. I’ll go and finish him off if he’s not dead'
Yvonne Eaves and Darren King, at the church for their own meeting with Sir David, saw Ali waving a bloodied knife and saying: “I killed him,” the court was told.
Mr Little said: “When Yvonne Eaves and Darren King offered to go and see Sir David, the defendant said this: ‘No, don’t come nearer. I’ll go and finish him off if he’s not dead.’”
Ali then allegedly said: “I want him dead. I want every Parliament minister who signed up for the bombing of Syria, who agreed to the Iraqi war, to die.”
Ali stared ahead in court as a section of Ms Eaves’ 999 call was played.
Mr Little said Ali allegedly had a speakerphone conversation with a woman, who was “screaming” at him: “Why have you done it?”
Ali is alleged to have mentioned Syria in his reply, before saying he wanted to be shot and die “a hero”.
Mr Little said Ali sent a message about Syria with a video attachment to “a large number of people” around the time of the attack, which he said is evidence of his preparation.
The trial continues.
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