Prashanth Kandhaiah is accused of trying to stab a police officer at Horse Guards Parade
(Picture: Getty Images)A man armed with a knife was moments away from being shot when he rushed at an armed police officer outside Horse Guards Parade, a court heard.
Prashanth Kandhaiah, 30, brandished a knife as he ran towards PC Ravinder Digpaul on the tiltyard of the historic parade ground, causing the officer to fall over and drop his rifle, it is said.
Dramatic footage shown at Southwark crown court captured the moment PC Digpaul kicked out to defend himself as Kandhaiah swings a knife at him.
Prosecutor Suki Dhadda said the officer, still on the floor, grabbed his glock pistol and was poised to shoot when Kandhaiah was Tasered by his colleague, PC Ryan Pariso.
Kandhaiah, from Thamesmead, south east London, denies a charge of attempted grievous bodily harm, saying he ran at officers in a bid to be shot dead.
Opening the trial, Ms Dhadda said Kandhaiah was caught on camera cycling on an electric bike into Whitehall just before 9am on the day of the incident, on April 18.
“PC Ravinder Digpaul, an authorised firearms officers and part of the Ministry of Defence police, was stood on post with PC Ryan Pariso outside the guards room front door, in front of the chain by the archway that leads to Whitehall”, she said.
Kandhaiah “secured” the electric bike and loitered for a few minutes in front of the Horse Guards Parade entrance before entering, jurors heard.
“He then chose his moment, taking a knife out of his jacket pocket which he had transported from his home address that morning, and ran directly towards the officers.
“He seemed to focus his attention on PC Digpaul, he ran towards him brandishing the knife so it was clearly in view.
“PC Digpaul saw the blade pointing upwards and the edge held towards him. PC Digpaul formed the view the defendant was targeting him. He appeared to be heading straight for him.”
Ms Dhadda said the officer grabbed his rifle and took the safety off, but “due to being chased down so quickly he wasn’t able to bring the weapon up, take aim, and shoot at him.
“PC Digpaul moved behind a pillar, followed by the defendant. While trying to create distance, he lost his footing, tripped backwards and fell to the floor.
“He fell on to his weapon and saw parts of it come away. While on the floor, Mr Kandhaiah was stood over him, swinging the knife in his direction.
“The officer kicked out at him, preventing him from coming closer to him.
“PC Digpaul was desperately attempting to stop Mr Kandhaiah – he was extremely fearful he was going to be stabbed, or worse still he was going to be killed.”
Ms Dhadda said the officer shouted “get back” and reached for his glock pistol. “He has pulled the first tension off the trigger when he heard his colleague deploy his Taser”.
Kandhaiah was then disarmed and detained by the officers, the court heard.
The incident was caught on CCTV camera and also captured on bodyworn footage from the officers, which has been played to the jury.
As Kandhaiah is being pinned to the ground and handcuffed, he can be heard saying: “Please shoot me”.
The court heard Kandhaiah later told police he had run at officers deliberately but had “no intention to harm” PC Digpaul.
“He said he acted in this specific way because he wanted to kill himself”, said Ms Dhadda. “He wanted to be shot by police officers.”
Phone records show Kandhaiah had researched the London Bridge terror attack, when jihadis stabbed victims and were shot dead, as well as searching the phrase “I hate Britain”.
On the morning of the alleged attack, he sent a text reading: “Goodbye, love you, Daddy.”
Kandhaiah denies the charge of attempted grievous bodily harm. The trial continues.
