Sir David Amess Stabbing: Inside the Shocking Old Bailey Trial
Sir David Amess, Southend West MP, was brutally stabbed over 20 times during a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on October 15. The horrifying attack unfolded inside Belfairs Methodist Church, where officers were heard shouting “Drop the knife!” as they stormed in.
Chilling Courtroom Revelations
Ali Harbi Ali, 26, stands accused of murder and preparing terrorist acts but denies all charges. The Old Bailey heard Ali openly admit to police that he had committed a “terror-related crime.”
Police officers Scott James and Ryan Curtis entered the church armed only with a baton and incapacitant spray, despite warnings the suspect was armed with a knife. PC Curtis described finding Ali in the church aisle, clutching a blood-stained blade.
Bodycam footage from PC James revealed the tense moment the officers chose not to wait for backup, including a Taser team. The video shows them shouted commands to “drop the knife!” before Ali complied, allowing for his swift cuffing.
Defiant Words After Arrest
After being arrested, Ali was reportedly on the phone to his sister, saying: “My phone’s rung, it’s the 1.” He reassured, “Don’t worry. The police got me. They’re not gonna shoot.” The court also heard Ali declare, “I was prepared to die.”
At Southend police station, Ali specified his crime’s motive as “religious” when answering questions about whether it was domestic or hate-related.
Evidence Paints a Dark Picture
- Emergency 999 calls captured a witness claiming Ali threatened to kill four others after the attack.
- CCTV footage tracked Ali’s journey from his North London home in Kentish Town to Leigh-on-Sea on the day of the stabbing.
- The trial revealed Ali spent years researching high-profile political figures like Michael Gove, Dominic Raab, and Sir Keir Starmer as possible targets.
The trial continues as the nation awaits justice for the tragic killing of Sir David Amess.
