An inquest into the London Bridge terror attack yesterday heard how Roy Larner was stabbed multiple times during the atrocity.
Mr Larner was dubbed the Lion of London Bridge after press accounts in the aftermath of the attack reported he had shouted “F**k you I’m Millwall” as he took on the terrorists single-handedly.
The court heard how staff at the Black and Blue restaurant, where Mr Larner had been sitting just inside the entrance, locked the doors but the terrorists gained access by kicking them.
Then Mr Larner was approached by Rachid Redouane, one of the three attackers and stabbed multiple times.
Youssef Zaghba also attacked Mr Larner, while Khuram Butt ordered nearby Geoffrey Ho to lie down before stabbing him in the throat, the court was told.
In some of the “distressing imagery” shown to the court, Mr Larner appeared not to react when he was stabbed twice in quick succession, reports the BBC.
The court heard also how terrorist Butt went behind the bar of the restaurant to wash his bloody knife – and then wipe it on his beard in a “chilling gesture.”
A campaign had been launched for Mr Larner, of Peckham, to receive George Cross in the wake of the atrocity.
However, he was missed off the Civilian Gallantry List last year – in a move which he said left him feeling “let down” by the authorities.
The inquest into the deaths of the eight victims – Chrissy Archibald, Sebastien Belanger, Kirsty Boden, Ignacio Echeverría Miralles de Imperial, James McMullan, Alexandre Pigeard, Xavier Thomas, and Sara Zelenak – continues.
Good luck Roy!
Fully deserved, its a disgrace that you were left of the list!