Woolwich accused tells Old Bailey: ‘I’m a soldier’

Appearing via video link from Belmarsh prison, Michael Adebolajo, 28, interrupted the bail hearing on several occasions, telling judge Mr Justice Sweeney: “It’s not about you.

“This whole trial is about more than that. It’s not about me, even though I played a major part in proceedings.

“Really and truly it’s about the good, honest, decent, hardworking British members of society, whether they be Muslim or non-Muslim. They are the ones that have suffered the most...”

Adebolajo, whose left arm was in a plaster cast after the incident outside Woolwich barracks on May 22, went on: “It’s possible throughout life that people may sometimes smother you and say things about you that are false.

“But as a regular citizen and human being, we have to get over it.

“I believe that the British people are decent. From my experience growing up in my country, only a fraction will wish to slander and lie against me. But the rest would prefer to know the truth, even if the truth came back to bite me on the buttock.”

Adebolajo, who is also accused of the attempted murder of two police officers and possession of a firearm with intent to cause others to believe that violence would be used, was reprimanded by the judge for interrupting several times and eventually the video link was switched off.

The defendant was listed as Mujaahid Abu Hamza AKA Adebolajo by the court, after asking to be referred to by the name when he appeared before magistrates on Monday, and was addressed as Mr Hamza yesterday.

The court heard he had been seen by psychiatrists three times while in hospital and at least twice since, and had been declared fit for interview in all.

His defence barrister, David Gottlieb, told the court: “It’s the prosecution’s case that he is completely sane. He doesn’t suffer from any mental disorder at all. Mr Hamza agrees with that.”

While this was discussed the defendant interjected with: “I’m not familiar with this legal jargon. I’m a soldier, not a lawyer.”

The start of the hearing had been delayed after Adebolajo complained about having to be handcuffed in the video-link room and he was eventually allowed to have them removed on the understanding that two prison officers sat beside him.

Adebolajo from Romford in Essex, will appear at the court alongside co-defendant Michael Adebowale, 22, from Greenwich, south-east London, for a preliminary hearing on June 28.