The arsonist who murdered two people by setting fire to a block of flats in Reading apologized for his “sin” in Reading Crown Court today (October 7).

Hakeem Kigundu, 32, claimed he “at no point tried to hinder justice” after pouring petrol in Rowe Court and igniting it on December 15.

Taking to the witness box, he said he believes his punishment will bring redemption.

READ MORE: Murderer's twisted voicenote before setting fire to flats heard by court

“When I say I am sorry it’s not because I’m getting sentenced today it’s because I believe actions speak louder than words and punishment opens the path to forgiveness and redemption,” said Kigundu.

“According to the Quran, injustice is one of the worst sins you can commit, which is why I pleaded guilty and take full responsibility for my actions.”

Prosecutor Alison Morgan QC on Thursday described how Kigundu bought 50 litres of petrol from Reading garages and lit a fire in the middle of the night to 'cause the maximum amount of death, harm and destruction' to the building he had lived in.

Today, Kigundu said he gave evidence to the prosecution, including the hired car he used to fill jerry cans with petrol, the password to his phone and his bank and paypal details.

The defence highlighted his cooperation with investigators, including turning himself in to Reading Police Station, but prosecutor Alison Morgan QC called these actions “self-serving” and that his arrest was inevitable.

The prosecution is asking for a full-life order, meaning Kigundu would never be released from prison, but the defence submitted there was not enough evidence of pre-meditation to warrant that sentence.

“What I’m trying to stress is that this isn’t a calm, linear set of decisions taken by the defendant leading inextricably to a specific date and a specific time,” said Rosina Cottage QC.

She said: “It is clear that he is not thinking in a way that right minded, calm, rational people do.”

Kigundu previously pleaded guilty to two counts of murder, two counts of grievous bodily harm and one count of arson with intent to endanger life.

The judge will decide on a sentence later this afternoon