Khairi Saadallah stabbed three gay men to death in a Reading park.
Khairi Saadallah, the terrorist who killed three gay men in the terrorist attack in Reading, was jailed for the rest of his life.
Saadallah, 26, pleaded guilty to three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder after an assault at Reading’s Forbury Gardens in June 2020.
The three men killed during the attack – James Furlong, David Wails and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett – were all beloved members of the local LGBT + community who were in the park with a group of friends.
Their friend Stephen Young was also injured, as well as another couple who were nearby, Patrick Edwards and Nishit Nisudan.
Saadallah, who was born in Libya and granted asylum in the United Kingdom in 2018, was previously convicted of violent and criminal offenses and was released from prison a few weeks before the attack. He was known to the security service MI5 about alleged links with terrorist groups.
At the Old Bailey on Monday (January 11), Mr. Justice Sweeney Saadallah is subject to an entire life order, a sentence that means he will spend the rest of his life behind bars without being released.
The judge told him: “I have no doubt that this is a rare and exceptional case in which legal punishment requires you to be in jail for the rest of your life.”
He noted that the victims “did nothing but sit in gardens”, adding: “His attack on them was so rapid, merciless and cruel that none of them had a chance to respond, which let alone defend themselves. “
Judge Sweeney handed down the sentence, saying the premeditated attack was carried out “with the aim of advancing a political, religious or ideological cause”, which is the legal definition of terrorism under British law.
Read attack killer denies terror.
Prosecutors have demanded life sentences without parole, arguing that the killings were a terrorist attack, but Khairi Saadallah denies a terrorist motive.
During the knife attack, the accused was heard shouting words regarding “Allahu akbar”. He was arrested minutes after the riot after a police officer called 999.
Saadallah claims that he has only a “fleeting or occasional interest” in Islamic extremism and describes himself as a part of the Muslim and a part of the Catholics’.
“The accused believed he acted in the practice of his extremist ideology,” prosecutor Alison Morgan QC alleged.
An extremist ideology he has apparently espoused for some time. He believed he was committing an act of religious jihad by killing as many people as possible that day. ‘
She added: ‘The accused was aiming to inflict the maximum amount of damage within the shortest amount of time so that he could kill as many people as possible.
“In fact, the murders of Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, David Wails and James Furlong were extremely effective executions.”
Reading attack victims remembered by families and LGBT + community.
The city’s LGBT + community was devastated by the news that three of its own were killed in the attack, with Reading Pride raising thousands to help cover funeral costs for bereaved loved ones, as well as building a permanent memorial for the victims. .
James Furlong was a schoolteacher, described by friends as a ‘proud gay man who wanted equality for all’.
Joe Ritchie-Bennett was a “brilliant and loving” American who lost his husband to cancer just over five years ago. David Wails was a scientist who always ‘made people smile’.
The Wails family said: ‘We want to thank the people who helped in the immediate aftermath of the horrific events in the park in June. The members of the public who tried to save the lives of the attackers; the paramedics, the ambulance service and the police officers who all assisted at the scene.
“We also want to thank the people of Reading, including the LGBT community, for the outpouring of love and support they have shown to us and the other families of those involved.
“We would like to thank the police who have worked tirelessly to ensure that justice is done to David, James, Joe and the other three victims in this case.”
The Bennett family added: ‘Joe was a devoted and loving man, a man who cared deeply for family. His generosity, warmth and laughter have given him countless friends with whom to share memories.
“Unfortunately, the events in Forbury Gardens hampered Joe’s right to a full and vibrant life. He will always be loved and never forgotten. ”
Stephen Young, who was injured in the attack, said the loss of his three friends left a big hole in my life. ‘
He said: ‘When we met on June 20, it was the first time in months that we saw each other due to the closure of the coronavirus. We just sit in the sunshine, have a few drinks and enjoy music.
‘Dave and I have been friends for over 20 years, we used to play pool and talk about football. I especially miss him for coming for a beer. He was a really good friend, just like Joe and James. They were all such lovely people, they would greet you with a hug and a smile.
‘I’m also so grateful to my other friends who went through this horrible experience. I believe they saved my life that day by shouting a warning at the critical moment, and I feel like I can never thank them enough for what they did. ‘
Reading Pride said: “With the tragic loss of life, the sentencing today could help bring closure to begin the healing process within our community.
‘We call on the Prime Minister, the Central and Local Government, together with support organizations, to work together and put in place future guarantees to prevent this from happening again.
“We reaffirm our commitment to working with the Reading community to remember Joe, James and David. Our thoughts go out to the families, friends and colleagues during this difficult time. ”
Attack ’caused unspeakable pain and distress’
Detective Chief Inspector Kath Barnes, head of the fight against terrorism in the South East, said: ‘Saadallah is a dedicated jihadist and planned to kill as many people as possible on that sunny summer evening in June.
‘As the evidence showed, Saadallah planned this attack thoroughly. The men he killed were not only killed; they were executed with such speed, they had very little chance of reacting or defending themselves.
‘The horror of this incident took just one minute to unfold. It took him less than ten seconds to kill three innocent men, and he then attacked and tried to kill three more men before running to downtown.
‘In that small span of time, he changed the lives of all involved forever.
“He caused the families of the three men who were brutally killed to cause unspeakable hurt and distress as they relaxed on a Saturday night and hung out with friends. I am sure there will also be lasting consequences for those injured in the attack, who were fortunate that they were not harmed even more severely.
‘The scene for other people in the busy park at the time of this incident was terrible, and I have to pay tribute to the many people who helped with first aid and who consequently provided important evidence as part of our investigation.
“The details heard during this trial would undoubtedly be disturbing to the families of the victims and survivors, and I express my sincere thanks to each and every one of them for their unwavering support during this investigation.”