‘The fire awaits you,’ Christchurch mosque Brenton Tarrant killer told

The father of a three-year-old boy killed in the Christchurch mosque attacks has told Brenton Tarrant he is an “evil man” whose atrocity failed to sow hatred and fear.

Ahad Nabi — whose father was killed in Al Noor mosque — called Brenton Tarrant a coward who should never be allowed to walk free at his sentencing hearing in Christchurch on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images

The father of a three-year-old boy killed in the Christchurch mosque attacks has told gunman Brenton Tarrant he is an “evil man” whose atrocity failed to sow hatred and fear.

Australian white supremacist Tarrant is expected to become the first person in New Zealand imprisoned for life without prospect of parole when his sentence is handed down on Thursday at a Christchurch court.

Tarrant has refused the right to speak at his sentencing for last year’s murder of 51 Muslim worshippers, court officials said on Wednesday.

Officials said Tarrant — who sacked his legal team earlier this year — had opted not to personally address the court, but a court-appointed lawyer would make a brief statement on his behalf on Thursday.

Aden Diriye, father to three-year-old Mucaad Ibrahim, the youngest person to die in Tarrant’s rampage last year, was among survivors and bereaved families giving testimony on day three of his sentencing.

Mr Diriye told Tarrant to “know that true justice is waiting for you in the next life and that will be far more severe (than prison)”.

“I will never forgive you for what you have done,” he said on Wednesday.

Hasmine Mohamedhosen, whose brother Mohamed was killed, called Tarrant the “son of a devil” who she wanted to “rot in hell between the four walls of your cell for eternity”.

Ahad Nabi, whose father, Haji Daoud Nabi, was killed in Al Noor mosque, called Tarrant a coward who should never be allowed to walk free.

Brenton Tarrant at his sentencing hearing at Christchurch High Court on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images

“While you are in prison you will come to realise that you are now in hell and only the fire awaits you,” he said.

Tarrant, 29, has admitted 51 charges of murder, 40 of attempted murder and one of terrorism during the attacks at two Christchurch mosques on March 15 last year.

He has remained impassive throughout the hearing as members of the Muslim community confront him, some furious and demanding justice and others distraught.

“You have killed my son and to me that is as though you have killed the whole of New Zealand,” Mr Diriye told Tarrant with a steady voice.

“I will never forget how he would play in the mosque and make friends with every worshipper who attended, young and old. He was adored by all.

“Your atrocity and hatred did not turn out the way you expected. Instead it has united our Christchurch community, strengthened our faith, raised the honour of our families and brought our peaceful nation together.”

The court was earlier told that as Tarrant moved through the Al Noor mosque, shooting the wounded and ignoring their cries for help, he saw toddler Mucaad clinging to his father’s leg “and shot him with two precisely aimed shots”.

Mustafa Boztas addresses Brenton Tarrant in Christchurch on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images

Mustafa Boztas, who was shot in the leg, likened Tarrant to “a rotten cloth that has been thrown away after dirty work”.

“You are not even a human, not even an animal, since animals are beneficial to the world,” he said.

John Milne, whose 14-year-old son, Sayyad, was murdered, said since the killings his mental health had suffered, leading to a spell in a psychiatric ward.

“There is a huge hole in my heart that will only heal when I meet Sayyad again in heaven,” he said.

“I hope to see you there too, Brenton, and if you get the chance I’d love you to say sorry to Sayyad. I’m sure he’s forgiven you too.”

Showing a photo of his son to the man in the dock, Mr Milne implored: “Please, just remember his name.”

John Milne holds a photograph of his son, Sayyad Milne, who was killed, as his daughter, Brydie Henry, looks on in Christchurch on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images