Family of one of three men stabbed to death in Reading terror attack say there are serious questions over why failed Libyan asylum seeker, 26, was free to carry out park rampage despite criminal past - as killer is handed whole-life term
Khairi Saadallah, 26, shouted Allahu akhbar as he fatally stabbed three men
James Furlong, 36, David Wails, 49, and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, 39, all died
Three other people injured before Saadallah threw away the knife and ran off
Failed Libyan asylum seeker launched attacks in Reading on June 20, 2020
1/1 THE Reading knifeman who “executed” three men in Forbury Gardens and injured three others could be handed a whole life sentence today. Khairi Saadallah, 26, shouted “Allahu akhbar” as he fatally stabbed friends James Furlong, 36, David Wails, 49, and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, 39, on June 20 last year. Three other people – Stephen Young, Patrick Edwards and Nishit Nisudan – were also injured before Saadallah threw away the knife and ran off through Reading town centre, pursued by an off-duty police officer. The failed Libyan asylum seeker had launched the attacks in Forbury Gardens, Reading, as the victims were enjoying a summer evening after the first lockdown restrictions in England were relaxed.
James Furlong Families of three friends murdered in a Reading park have paid emotional tributes to their loved ones. History teacher James Furlong, 36, scientist David Wails, 49, and pharmaceutical manager Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, a 39-year-old US citizen, died after being stabbed in Forbury Gardens on June 20 last year as they enjoyed a summer s evening. Khairi Saadallah, 26, shouted Allahu akbar during the rampage, during which he attempted to murder three others before fleeing. A victim impact statement was read at the Old Bailey by Alison Morgan QC on Wednesday, submitted by Mr Furlong s father Gary Furlong on behalf of the family, including his mother Jan, his brother Gary, his sister-in-law Laura and his two nieces.
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Barrister says Khairi Saadallah, who admits killing three people in park, is not a ‘radical Islamist’
A court sketch of Khairi Saadallah. Photograph: Elizabeth Cook/PA
A court sketch of Khairi Saadallah. Photograph: Elizabeth Cook/PA
Wed 6 Jan 2021 11.13 EST
Last modified on Wed 6 Jan 2021 18.34 EST
The man who has admitted murdering three people in a Reading park is not a jihadist but plagued by substance abuse and mental health issues, a court today heard.
The prosecution has asked for Khairi Saadallah, 26, to be given a whole life sentence – meaning he would die in jail – for the attacks last June during which he shouted Allahu Akbar.
The Crown is seeking a whole life order, meaning he would never be considered for release. But in mitigation, Rossano Scamardella QC suggested the sentence should be one of life imprisonment with a starting point of 30 years. He told the court: None of the submissions I m about to make are designed to downplay or dilute the seriousness of the incident. criminal offending is rarely more serious than this.
Picture issued by Thames Valley Police of Khairi Saadallah buying a knife at a Morrisons supermarket the day before he stabbed three people to death in Forbury Gardens attack. Pic: TVP/PA