Bodycam footage showing the moment an alleged killer was arrested following the stabbing of Sir David Amess has been shown to jurors.
Alleged terrorist Ali Harbi Ali is standing trial accused of murdering the Southend West MP, who was killed as he held meetings with constituents in Essex on 15 October.
The case continued on Thursday, with the Old Bailey told about a Telegram message found on Ali’s phone that allegedly called for people to “kill the crusaders” with “knives, guns and explosives”.
Sir David Amess trial latest – Court shown bodycam footage of officers warning public
Ali, 26, denies charges of murder and preparing acts of terrorism.
‘He’s got a blade there’
The court heard evidence from PC Ryan Curtis, who was one of the first police officers on the scene of the attack.
He was sitting in his police car with PC Scott James when he heard on his police radio there had been a stabbing, the court heard.
The jury was shown dramatic bodycam footage of officers arriving at the scene, with one witness heard saying “he’s got a blade there”.
As they enter the church where the attack happened, the officers are heard shouting “drop that f****** knife now” at the suspect.
The suspect is standing inside the church in between the pews, wearing a large green coat.
Officers then move in and tackle him to the ground, holding him down and yelling “on the floor now!”.
Meanwhile, another person urges someone to try administering CPR to Sir David.
‘Knives, guns, explosives to kill the crusaders’
The court was also told about a Telegram message sent on 27 November 2016 that the prosecution say called for people to “wage jihad” found on Ali Harbi Ali’s phone.
The message allegedly said people should “look to those who fulfil the words of Allah” and “wage jihad himself with the resources available to him – knives, guns, explosives to kill the crusaders and other disbelievers”.
An image found on one of Ali’s devices also read: “Their leaders send their jets every day to kill the Muslims in Iraq and Syria…
“Kill them as they kill us – do not have mercy on them because they are all the same,” the court heard.
The hashtag #IslamicState was also included in messages found on the Telegram channel.
Forensic pathologist Dr Matthew Cieka, who conducted the post-mortem examination, told the court that the Conservative MP’s shirt was “heavily bloodstained” and there was damage to his clothing consistent with a stabbing.
Sir David had sustained 23 stab wounds including four that entered his chest, the expert said.
The trial continues.
