On October 15 last year, Ali traveled to Leigh-on-Sea in Essex to attend his lunchtime slot at Belfairs Methodist Church, the Old Bailey has heard.

He stabbed Sir David 21 times and waved a bloodied knife before being apprehended by unarmed police, jurors were told.

On Tuesday, prosecutor Tom Little QC presented the jury with a timeline of the events leading to the death of the 69-year-old veteran Tory MP.

He said police pieced together Ali’s activities from hundreds of hours of CCTV footage and data from his laptop and mobile phone.

The court heard Ali viewed a web page about Sir David on July 22 last year.

Three hours later, Ali was near the Houses of Parliament, according to the cell site’s analysis.

Its web history also showed searches last September for government minister Michael Gove, Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer and London MP Mike Freer, jurors heard.

On September 27, Ali emailed Sir David’s office requesting a meeting.

He wrote: ‘I am moving to the area of ​​a Labor held constituency and wanted to get to know my future MP.

“Since I work in healthcare, I would like to know his plans, if any, for the hospital and the workers.

“Furthermore, as someone interested in Christianity, I have seen many churches in my area lose attendance and struggle to maintain themselves, ultimately at risk of being torn down or repurposed.

“I wanted to know if the situation in Southend is similar and, if so, what the solutions are.”

He added: “Looking forward to seeing you soon. If all appointments are booked, let me know if there is a cancellation. I will be in the area and I can pass.

Sir David’s assistant, Rebecca Hayton, responded asking for Ali’s address and full name to verify he was a voter.

Ali gave Southend a postcode and said: “I’ll be in the area on Friday so it would be nice to see him regardless, although I know he’s a very busy man so I can appreciate him if it’s not possible .”

Ms Hayton told Ali all appointments had been made but she would be happy to book him for October 15.

Ali responded by saying that his “schedule is pretty busy for the next two weeks so I’m not sure if I’ll be available.”

But, on September 30, he confirmed he was “able to clear up my schedule” and asked for a noon date.

He told Ms Hayton: ‘I’m not sure how long the appointments are, but I don’t think I’ll take too long. Thanks for all the help so far.”

The jury watched CCTV footage of Ali traveling by train from his north London home to Leigh-on-Sea, wearing a long khaki jacket, a black rucksack slung over his right shoulder, blue sneakers and black pants.

He was seen walking alongside unsuspecting members of the public, including school children, and along residential streets.

In one clip, Ali can even be seen appearing to offer directions to a passenger at Barking station as he waited on the platform for his connection.

There was also a gap of about 25 minutes where Ali appeared to be waiting near the church after arriving too early for his midday appointment.

At the time of the attack on Sir David, Ali sent a message to family and friends which appeared to have been written days earlier, the court heard.

In it, he said the attack was “for the love of Allah”, the jurors heard.

He reportedly wrote, “I apologize to my family for cheating on them for so long. I would have preferred the Hijrah so as not to harm you but I couldn’t.

“My obligations to avenge the blood of Muslims were too great.

“The shame of dwelling in the very lands that commit these horrible acts against my brothers and sisters was too great.”

Ali then spent 14 minutes on the phone with his sister, cutting off the call when he was confronted and arrested by two plainclothes police arriving at the scene.

Ali, from Kentish Town, north London, denied plotting terrorist acts and murder.

The trial continues.