MP killer told police: ‘I’m a happy guy’
An Islamic terrorist told two police officers he was a ‘happy guy’ after they arrested him for the assassination of Conservative MP Sir David Amess, a court heard today (Thurs).
PCs Ryan Curtis and Scott James bundled Ali Harbi Ali, 26, to the floor at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on 15 October last year.
Ali told witnesses he wanted to be shot by police and die a hero after inflicting 21 stab wounds to the Southend West MP.
Instead of dying a martyr’s death the ‘twisted’ terrorist was tackled and restrained by the unarmed PCs after the killing.
Ali denies murder and preparing for terrorist acts between 1 May 2019 and 28 September last year.
He is said to have previously engaged in reconnaissance of locations of targets to attack including the homes of Conservative minister Michael Gove and the constituency surgery of Tory MP Mike Freer.
The Essex police officers had raced to the church in plain clothes, with blue lights on after hearing reports of a stabbing on their radios.
Jurors have heard the two officers, upon seeing Ali, began ‘f–ing and blinding’ before getting him to drop his lime green knife and go to the ground.
PC Curtis said he and his partner were ‘only a matter of two minutes away’ from the church when they heard the reports and therefore decided to attend the scene.
PC James’ body worn footage was played to the court as Rebecca Hayton, Sir David’s aide, tells the officers: ‘He’s lying on the floor he has been stabbed several times.’
PC Curtis is heard in the background shouting: ‘Get out get out. Get everyone out now.’
The officers were seen entering the church.
Once they spot Ali, PC James is heard saying: ‘Mate drop the knife drop the fucking knife.’
Ali replies: ‘I can’t.’
He then asks: ‘Is that a gun or a taser?’
Both officers repeat their demands.
‘It’s only going to go one way please drop that knife,’ PC James says.
The blade is dropped and Ali obeys the officers’ shouts for him to get ‘on the floor’.
‘I’m not moving,’ Ali is heard saying.
PC James arrests him.
‘Get my glasses on my face brother,’ Ali says.
While on the floor, the stabber is completely still.
He tells the officers he has no other weapons.
To his sister, who remains on the phone, Ali says: ‘Don’t worry the police got me.
‘They aren’t gonna shoot.
‘Don’t worry I’m arrested.
‘It wasn’t a gun it was a taser.’
To police, he continues: ‘I’m a happy guy.
‘I was prepared to die.’
Jurors also watched footage that captured Ali being processed in the police station.
A custody officer is heard asking whether the offence was ‘domestic or hate related’.
Ali replies: ‘Terror.’
The custody officer then asks: ‘On what basis? Race? Religion?’
‘Religious,’ Ali tells her.
Ali, of Lady Somerset Road, Kentish Town, denies murder and engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorist acts, contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.
The second charge alleges he engaged in reconnaissance of locations of targets to attack including addresses associated with members of Parliament and the Houses of Parliament; engaged in internet searches relating to the targets of attack.
The trial continues.
