Streatham terror attacker Sudesh Amman expressed the desire to have killed fusilier Lee Rigby and mixed with the Manchester Arena bomber’s brother in prison, a inquest was told.

Sudesh Amman was moved to a high security unit “on numerous occasions” at Belmarsh after becoming more violent and trying to convert other inmates.

Belmarsh governor Jenny Louis said that in October 2019, while Amman was part-way through his jail sentence for terror offences, the main prison block housed 910 men, while the high security unit housed only 12.

“Those who pose the highest risk… would be placed in a high security prison apart from the main establishment,” she told the inquest into Amman’s death at the Royal Courts of Justice this week. 

News Shopper: Boots on Streatham High Road where Sudesh Amman was shot (PA)Boots on Streatham High Road where Sudesh Amman was shot (PA)

Ms Louis said Amman was “moved there on numerous occasions”, as a way of lessening his influence on other inmates.

“It is to monitor him well but also stop his ability to influence others,” she said.

She added: “A number of times you can engage with an individual, and Sudesh Amman chose to disengage a number of times.

“I think it’s very rare that you have somebody who disengages so openly whilst in custody.”

The inquest heard that intelligence shared with police by prison authorities in October 2019 suggested he was involved in radicalising other inmates.

A list of alleged associates included Hashem Abedi, the brother of Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi.

Ms Louis added that Amman had been placed on a “basic regime” – meaning the loss of certain privileges including watching television – for fighting with other inmates, abusing prison officers and threatening to kill another prisoner.

He was again placed on the basic regime after making “inappropriate” comments about Lee Rigby, saying he wished he had been the one to kill him.

Fusilier Rigby was stabbed to death outside Woolwich Barracks in May 2013 by two Islamic terrorists, in full view of members of the public.

Jurors also heard concerns were raised about Amman’s “extremist mindset” which were “further substantiated” by calls and correspondence.

Jonathan Hough QC, counsel to the inquest, said that in one letter to a friend from prison, Amman referred to himself as a “wild tiger who doesn’t obey the law”.

He suggested to Ms Louis that this was evidence of “someone with a large ego” in need of status.

The governor replied: “Yes, I think that is quite evident in terms of his comments he has made.”

In another letter to his family, Amman, originally from Coventry, said: “Fear no-one but Allah and keep smiling even in the hardest times, that is what strikes fear into their hearts… never wake up a sleeping lion.”

Two Extremist Risk Guidance (ERG) assessments during Amman’s time in Belmarsh also spoke of his potential to strike upon release.

The first assessment highlighted the previous intelligence that Amman spoke of his “desire to kill the Queen, become a suicide bomber, and join Isis”.

The second assessment found “an escalation in the presence of over-identification with an extremist group, cause or ideology to ‘strongly present'”.

Both reports suggested Amman posed a risk to the community through a potential stabbing incident.

Earlier, Detective Chief Inspector Luke Williams, from the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism unit, told the inquest that following his release from prison, Amman “appeared proud to have been the youngest terrorist offender at Belmarsh… (and) didn’t seem remorseful”.

Amman stabbed and injured two people on Streatham High Road shortly before 2pm on Sunday February 2 2020.

He was shot and killed by armed police moments later.

The inquest continues.

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