A "COMMITTED terrorist" who "assassinated" Sir David Amess at an Essex church had also staked out Michael Gove's home, a court heard today.
Ali Harbi Ali, 26, is accused of knifing dad-of-five Sir David 21 times with a 12-inch blade as the MP hosted a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea on October 15 last year.
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MP David Amess was allegedly murdered as he met constituents in an Essex church Credit: PA 7
Ali Harbi Ali, who is on trial at the Old Bailey, denies the charge 7
Prosecutors allege the defendant is a 'committed terrorist' who 'assassinated' Sir David after staking out other high-profile targets, including Michael Gove Credit: PA 7
Government minister Gove's home was also staked out by the alleged killer, the court heard Credit: AFP
The defendant denies murdering the veteran Tory backbencher, as well as a separate charge of preparing acts of terrorism.
But prosecutors alleged he'd been planning an atrocity based on his "warped, twisted and violent ideology" for five years - and had also considered other high-profile targets, including Mr Gove and MP Mike Freer.
He had even visited Mr Gove's home address on six separate occasions, and had photos of him exercising, it was heard.
A note on Ali's phone from 2019 read: "Bump into him jogging, best outcome", while another read: "Door is wooden and swings into house, could be kicked in."
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However, he ruled out an attack after learning Mr Gove had split with his wife and the property had been sold, it was said.
He then allegedly turned his attention to Sir David, booking an appointment under the guise of a healthcare worker who was moving to Essex.
He travelled by train from his home in Kentish Town, North London, and chatted briefly to Sir David at Belfairs Methodist Church before turning the conversation to foreign affairs, it was heard.
He allegedly said he knew Sir David had initially supported the war in Iraq, before later changing his mind.
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The defendant's phone then made a notification sound and he said "sorry" before beginning to stab the 69-year-old, it's claimed.
Sir David, an MP since 1983, screamed out - but was knifed "multiple times in a vicious and frenzied attack", prosecutors say.
He was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem found he had suffered 21 stab wounds to his face, arms, legs and torso, as well as injuries to both hands that were consistent with defending himself.
Opening the prosecution case this morning, Tom Little QC alleged Ali had committed "a cold and calculated murder".
"This was nothing less than an assassination for terrorist purposes," he said.
Pointing at Ali in the dock, Mr Little alleged the attack had been planned for "years" - adding: “He is a committed, fanatical Islamist terrorist.”
This was nothing less than an assassination for terrorist purposes
Prosecutor Tom Little QC
And he said the horror was "no spur-of-the-moment decision".
"It was not the first time that he had planned an attack or a similar attack," he said.
"Indeed, he bought the knife five years before for just such an attack.
"He had for a number of years been determined to carry out an act of domestic terrorism.
"To that end, from at least May 2019 he researched and planned potential attacks on Members of Parliament and the Houses of Parliament.
"This included specific reconnaissance trips to a constituency surgery of Mike Freer MP and to the home address of Michael Gove MP."
He alleged that on the day of St David's death, two witnesses rushed into the church after hearing screams to find Ali shouting: "I killed him, I killed him."
As they tried to help, Ali allegedly said: "Don't come nearer. I'll go and finish him off if he's not dead."
ALI 'VISITED GOVE'S HOUSE'
One later returned before police arrived and asked why the defendant had stabbed Sir David, the court heard.
He is said to have replied: “I’ve done it because of Syria. I’ve done it because of the innocent people. I’ve done it because of the bombing. He deserved to die."
One of the witnesses also allegedly heard Ali making a call over speakerphone, during which a woman screamed: "Why have you done it?"
It's claimed he mentioned Syria in his reply, before saying he wanted to be shot and die "a hero".
Upon his arrest, he was asked if he'd committed a "terrorist attack" - to which he replied: "I guess, yeah, I killed an MP, and I done it", it was said.
However, he then allegedly told cops he sounded "stupid" - adding: "The way I worded it. It sounds like a Little Britain episode."
Sir David's death sparked an outpouring of grief around the country. Hundreds of people attended his funeral in November.
His family said in moving tributes that they were "shattered" by their loss.
They added: "As a family, we are still trying to understand why this awful thing has occurred.
"Nobody should die in that way. Nobody. Please let some good come from this tragedy."
'SHATTERED'
Following the alleged murder, Southend-on-Sea became England's 52nd city - a cause Sir David had campaigned for over several decades.
Prince Charles visited the area earlier this month to mark the honour, using the occasion to give a speech about the MP's death and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The royal met Sir David on a visit to Essex in 2014.
He said: "During that visit we recall our conversation with Sir David Amess. I knew him of course as a renowned and respected parliamentarian and effective campaigner on many national and local issues.
"Among them was his passionate determination to secure city status for Southend.
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"Today we mark the culmination of that dedicated campaign."
Ali's trial at the Old Bailey is listed to last for three weeks.
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Sir David was meeting constituents when he was fatally injured Credit: Paul Edwards 7
Following the MP's death, Southend-on-Sea was given city status by the Queen Credit: PA 7
Prosecutors alleged today that Ali had been planning an atrocity for five years Credit: PA