The man who killed 51 people at two mosques in New Zealand last year meticulously planned his shooting rampage to maximise casualties, a prosecutor said at the start of a sentencing hearing on Monday.
Brenton Tarrant, 29, an Australian national, has admitted 51 murder charges, 40 charges of attempted murder and one charge of committing a terrorist act in relation to the Christchurch massacre, which he streamed live on Facebook.
He faces a life term in jail, possibly without parole in a first for New Zealand, when a High Court judge sentences him this week.
Handcuffed and dressed in grey prison clothes, Tarrant sat with hands clasped for most of the morning's proceedings.
He showed little emotion and looked directly at those delivering victim impact statements.
Crown prosecutor Barnaby Hawes said Tarrant told police after his arrest that he wanted to create fear in the Muslim population.
"He intended to instil fear into those he described as invaders, including the Muslim population or more generally non-European immigrants," Mr Hawes said.
He also expressed regret for not taking more lives and planned to burn the mosques down, Mr Hawes said.
Tarrant spent years buying high-powered firearms, researched mosque layouts and timed his March 15 attacks to maximise casualties, the prosecutor said.
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Jumayah Jones, a survivor of the Christchurch terror attacks, prays at the Al Noor Mosque on August 22, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty Images -
Al Noor Mosque is seen on August 24, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty Images -
Graves of the Christchurch terror attack victims in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty Images -
Cards and letters of support from an Islamic school in Lakemba, Sydney are seen at Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty Images -
Young students learn Arabic and read the Quran during weekend teachings at the Al Noor Mosque. Getty Images -
Messages of love and compassion remain surrounded by flowers at the entrance to the Al Noor Mosque. Getty Images -
Members of the Linwood Islamic Centre congregation and visiting muslims embrace each other as Friday Prayer concludes on August 23, 2019. Getty Images -
Taj Mohammad Kamra, a survivor of the shootings at Al Noor Mosque, shows a photo of himself and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, at Al Noor Mosque. Getty Images -
A mural painted by artist, Loretta Lizzio is seen on a silo in the suburb of Bruswick in Melbourne, Australia. Getty Images -
Omar Nabi, whose father Daoud Nabi was killed at Al Noor mosque, speaks to the media after leaving Christchurch High Court on April 05, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty Images -
A young boy holds a placard as he takes part in a vigil to remember the victims of the Christchurch mosque attacks, on March 24, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty Images -
A coffin containing the body of a victim of the Christchurch mosque attacks is carried during a mass burial at Memorial Park Cemetery on March 22, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty Images -
Zahid Mustafa, centre, whose father Khaled Mustafa and brother Hamza Mustafa were killed at Al Noor mosque, attends Friday prayers in Hagley Park near Al Noor mosque on March 22, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty Images -
The Titans players embrace for a minutes silence in memory of the victims on March 15, 2019. Getty Images -
Fifty pairs of white shoes have been laid in front of All Souls Anglican Church in honour of victims who lost their lives on March 18, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty Images -
Youngsters perform a Haka during a students vigil near Al Noor mosque on March 18, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty Images -
Schoolgirls write messages on a banner during a students vigil near Al Noor mosque on March 18, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty Images -
Hamzah Noor Yahaya, a survivor of the shootings at Al Noor mosque, stands in front of Christchurch Hospital at the end of a lockdown and waits to be picked up by his wife on March 15, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty Images -
An armed police officer patrols past flowers and tributes outside Al Noor mosque on March 22, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Getty Images
He went to Christchurch about two months before the March 15 attack and flew a drone directly over Al Noor Mosque, focusing on its entry and exit points.
While most of the victims were at Al Noor Mosque, he attacked a second mosque before being detained on his way to a third.
The attacks prompted a global outpouring of grief, as well as scrutiny, with regulations imposed on online platforms after he streamed the mosque shootings live shortly after uploading a manifesto.
In court, Gamal Fouda, imam of Al Noor Mosque, told the man that he was "misguided and misled", and that his hatred was unnecessary.
"I can say to the family of the terrorist that they have lost a son and we have lost many from our community, too," Mr Fouda said.
"I respect them because they are suffering as we are."
The mother of Ata Elayyan, Maysoon Salama, said she constantly wondered what her son was thinking in his last moments "armed only with his courage" after he was gunned down at the Al Noor Mosque.
"I can't forgive you," Ms Salama said. "You gave yourself the authority to take the souls of 51 people.
"Our only crime in your eyes is that we are Muslims. You killed your own humanity and I don't think the world will forgive you for your horrible crime.
"May you get the severest punishment for your evil act in this life and hereafter."
Elayyan, 33, a goalkeeper for the New Zealand men's futsal team, was near the back of the mosque while his father, near the front, survived the attack after being shot in the head and shoulder.
Security was tight outside the court, with police dogs pacing the streets and snipers on rooftops, television footage showed.
With social-distancing in place because of the re-emergence of the coronavirus in New Zealand, a small public gallery is at the main court, with survivors and families of victims viewing the proceedings in seven court rooms.
Live reporting from the courtroom is banned and restrictions have been put in place on what the media can report.
High Court Judge Cameron Mander said he had received and read more than 200 victim-impact statements, along with submissions from various organisations.
Mr Mander said he would not sentence the man before Thursday morning so survivors and family members of victims had an opportunity to address the court.
A murder conviction carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison. The judge can impose a life term without parole, a sentence that has never been used in New Zealand.
