Suspect deadly, Menezes police told

They were issued with special highly-lethal ammunition and warned they were dealing with suspects who were "deadly" and "up for it".

Officers from the armed "black team" were given the impression they were dealing with a "deadly and determined, suicidal bomber", the Old Bailey heard.

The team leader, codenamed "Ralph" said he received radio confirmation that Mr de Menezes, an innocent Brazilian, was "definitely our man".

The 27-year-old was shot seven times in the head at Stockwell Tube station after being followed by police from his home in Scotia Road, Tulse Hill, south London, an address linked to attempted bomber Hussain Osman.

One armed officer who was at the scene refused to administer first aid until Mr de Menezes had been checked over by bomb experts, who quickly established he was not carrying an explosive device, the court heard.

The Metropolitan Police is on trial over allegations that it breached health and safety law by exposing the public, including Mr de Menezes to risk, on July 22 2005. The force denies the charge.

It is claimed that the risk to the public was increased by allowing a man they thought could be a suicide bomber onto an Underground train, and the risk that he would have to be shot was increased by not tackling him when he was above ground.

On Tuesday Clare Montgomery QC, prosecuting, described how firearms officers arrived for their briefing at 7am, two hours after a surveillance operation at the Scotia Road flats was ordered.

They were issued with pistols loaded with "special 124 grain ammunition" which has been shown "to produce death much more quickly and prevent somebody reacting", she said. "That is why it was loaded, because it was thought they might have to fire into someone's head."