Chef in a million finally moves to his dream pad
White supremacist who murdered 51 at mosques changes plea & admits it
A WHITE supremacist accused of murdering 51 worshippers at two mosques has admitted his guilt.
Brenton Tarrant, 29, pleaded guilty to last year’s atrocity in New Zealand.
The Australian had previously denied carrying out the twin attacks in Christchurch, on South Island, which he live-streamed on Facebook.
But he yesterday changed his plea to guilty in a hastily arranged court hearing in the city – which is in lockdown.
Last March, Tarrant drove to the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch and began shooting. Horrific footage from a headcam he was wearing showed him pass from room to room, slaughtering innocent worshippers as he went.
He then drove to the nearby Linwood mosque, where he shot two people outside before being chased away by hero bystanders. The attacks sent shockwaves around the globe and led to the introduction of strict gun laws in NZ.
Tarrant’s guilty pleas at Christchurch high court ahead of a planned June trial took New Zealanders by surprise.
Imams from the two mosques were allowed in court.
Former gym instructor Tarrant and his lawyers appeared via video-link because of the lockdown.
Judge Cameron Mander said it was “regrettable” the pandemic meant victims and their families could not be in court.
Most families who lost loved ones in the attacks welcomed the guilty pleas because it spared them a long trial. PM Jacinda
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Outside Al Noor mosque
Ardern said Tarrant’s admissions would be a “relief ” for many. She said: “These guilty pleas and conviction bring accountability for what happened. They also save the families who lost loved ones, those who were injured and other witnesses the ordeal of a trial.”
But Abdul Aziz Wahabzadah, the hero who chased Tarrant from the Linwood mosque, said he had wanted to see him stand trial. He said: “He’s got his right to plead guilty but I wanted to find out why he did it, the reasons behind this nonsense.
“I don’t think we will find out now. To be honest with you, I’m still struggling, but can’t do anything about it.”
Other survivors
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Now the single dad has quit his 60-hour a week job and with his son Oliver, five, and their cat Cleopatra, is settling into a new
Tributes to those lost in Christchurch attacks
welcomed the killer’s guilty pleas, however. Brave Temel Atacocugu, who was shot nine times, was given the news in a phone call from a lawyer.
He said: “I just said ‘wow’. This is good news, I am happy – it will save us a lot of time and a lot of stress.
“It is a relief. This is a big win for us and for the community. When I heard this news, I felt good.
“He will have a long time to be thinking about what he did. And maybe he will remember he is a human. Maybe he wants to pay for what he did.”
Omar Nabi, whose dad Haji Daoud Nabi was killed in the attack, said: “It’s about time. His plea should have been earlier, but it’s good he’s changed his mind. And good to have it done. I know God will give him his own punishment.”
It’s good news. It’s a relief. It will save us a lot of time and lots of stress
four-bed house in Preston, Lancs. Didzis said: “In our new property, Oliver has a large bedroom, as well as his own play area, whilst I have my own office for when I need to work from home.” Didzis, originally from Latvia, was living in a small flat above the kitchen at The Phantom Winger pub in Broughton, Lancs, when he won the National Lottery’s Merry Millions online scratchcard game.