The terrorists behind last year’s London Bridge attack were pumped up on steroids, a pre-inquest hearing has been told.
Khuram Butt, 27, Rachid Redouane, 30, and Youssef Zaghba, 22, are said to have all taken a substance called DHEA shortly before the attack on June 3.
A toxicologist will be called to give evidence at their inquest next year after it was found levels in their systems were above the acceptable physiological range.
The lives of eight victims were claimed in the attack on London Bridge and Borough Market, which sent shockwaves through the nation.
Chief Coroner Mark Lucraft said he hoped the inquests would provide grieving families with answers and give “comfort in such difficult circumstances”.
Some 1,800 witness statements have already been taken for the inquests, including from the security services, police and victims’ families.
The inquests would examine what MI5 knew about Butt before the attack, the court heard.
The coroner ordered the inquests into the three attackers be heard separately to their victims during the pre-inquest hearing attended by family members.
He said he would first hear the inquests into the deaths of the victims at the Old Bailey in early 2019 followed by a jury inquest into the deaths of the attackers.
Lawyer Victoria Ailes, representing five of the victims’ families, said they were particularly concerned to find out about any CCTV footage or mobile phone film showing the attacks of their loved ones.
Mr Lucraft ordered that any applications for anonymity in the inquests, including from two families of the attackers, be made in advance.
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