Police charge man with three counts of murder and three of attempted murder following Reading attack - Daily Mail

Police investigating Reading terror attack charge Libyan refugee, 25, with three counts of murder and three of attempted murder

• Police investigating an attack in Reading have charged Khairi Saadallah, 25, with three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder 
• Three men died after the incident in the Berkshire town's Forbury Gardens
• Saadallah is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday 

By Jack Wright For Mailonline

Published: 18:33 BST, 27 June 2020 | Updated: 21:39 BST, 27 June 2020

Police investigating a suspected terror attack in Reading have charged Khairi Saadallah, 25, with three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder. 

The charges follow an investigation into the incident at Forbury Gardens in Reading on June 20, where a number of people were stabbed.

James Furlong, 36, and his friends David Wails and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett died after the incident in the Berkshire town's Forbury Gardens shortly before 7pm. 

Three other people were hospitalised. They have since been released. 

It was later declared a terrorist incident by Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dean Haydon, senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing.

Saadallah, a Libyan granted asylum by the Government in 2012, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday.

Meanwhile Home Secretary Priti Patel and Business Secretary Alok, the MP for Reading West, attended a vigil for the three victims today.

Police investigating a suspected terror attack at Reading have charged Khairi Saadallah, 25, with three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder

Home Secretary Priti Patel and Business Secretary Alok Sharma, the MP for Reading West, were among those to light candles at a half-hour vigil at 7pm today

Speaking after the vigil, Mr Sharma said the attack had been 'incredibly shocking for everyone in Reading, but also across the country'.

He added: 'Our deepest sympathies and condolences go to the families who came here today and have shown such dignity at this service.

'I also want to say that the emergency services, and I think particularly the police, were absolutely heroic in the way that they have dealt with this situation, on the day and since, with great sensitivity. 

Police stopped Reading terror suspect A DAY before attack: Khairi Saadallah was found wandering the streets by mental health team after missing a check hours before he 'killed three people'

Police intercepted the Reading terror suspect on the street just hours before he allegedly went on the rampage.

Just days after his release from hospital - where he was not sectioned - Khairi Saadallah is believed to have fallen into another psychotic episode following a drugs binge.

A specialist mental health team was asked to search for the Libyan refugee after officials failed to find him during a routine check at his home on June 19.

Later that evening, just before midnight, he was found on a street in Reading, sources disclosed.

Saadallah is believed to have then been taken home to his council flat in the south of the town - and just hours later is alleged to have stabbed three men to death as they sat in a local park, Forbury Gardens.

Several police and psychiatric nurses, known as a 'street triage' team run jointly by Thames Valley Police and the NHS, encountered the 25-year-old Libyan after an alert was raised as part of his psychiatric care, sources said.  

Saadallah suffered post traumatic stress disorder, with other mental health issues leading to debt, alcohol and drug addiction, and homelessness. His family claimed he had been let down by the system.

 

Advertisement

The event today has shown that the whole of Reading has come together and demonstrated the great community spirit that we have in our town.' 

Cllr David Stevens, the mayor of Reading, said the incident had left the town 'feeling a mix of horror, disbelief and immense sadness and grief'.

Ms Patel and Mr Sharma were among those to light candles at the half-hour event. The co-headteachers of the Holt School where Mr Furlong taught also lit candles, while the public stood watched the vigil from the back of Market Place.

Cllr Stevens told the vigil: 'Just one week ago, friends and families were sat in Forbury Gardens, just a few yards from here, making the most of the warm weather on a summer's evening and enjoying one another's company.

'It was around now, the happiness and tranquillity of the evening was shattered in the cruellest and most horrific way.

'Three men lost their lives and several people sustained injuries. Others were forced to witness the most horrendous scenes. Last Saturday, Reading lost James Furlong, Joe Ritchie-Bennett and David Wails. To their families and close friends, we can only imagine your grief.'

The Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, James Puxley, paid tribute to the victims: 'From what I hear they were honest, lovely, outstanding people and good law-abiding citizens. They did not deserve what happened to them. 

'They had so many years ahead of them. Who knows what they would have achieved in life had they lived to an old age. Doubtless they would have achieved many good things that the community is now deprived of benefiting from.'

He also praised the emergency services and members of the public who helped the victims of the attack, some of whom 'tore off their shirts to make bandages'. 

Thames Valley Police chief constable John Campbell also gave his force's condolences to the family of the victims. 

Family members of the three men who died in the attack were the first to light candles in their memory. Afterwards, the small group of relatives embraced in a huddle for a few moments, before speaking and laughing together. 

Mr Furlong's family released a tribute today thanking those who had rushed to help the three men after the attack. A statement said: 'We would like to start by thanking the police for their ongoing help, including their remarkable bravery. They have been a pillar of support.

Family members of David Wails shortly before 7pm walk together to light candles during a vigil

James Furlong's family members also attended the vigil at Market Place, Reading today

Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire James Puxley (left) and Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police John Campbell (right) speak during a vigil for the three victims of the Reading attack

People comfort each other during a vigil at Market Place, Reading, in memory of David Wails, Joseph Ritchie-Bennett and James Furlong

'Equally, we would like to express our gratitude to the emergency services, members of the public and the wider Reading community, who did all they could to help and save the lives of those who had been injured that night.'

The statement added: 'To James' colleagues and pupils at the Holt School: he spoke often of how much he loved where he worked and his passion for developing the students. He cared so much and was very proud of each and every one of you.' 

The family of Mr Ritchie-Bennett released a statement, telling of their 'deep sorrow'.

The statement said: 'We LOVED (sic) Joe so much and we are in such deep sorrow. We need all the prayers for Joe and the Ritchie and Bennett families.'  

Home Secretary Priti Patel lights a candle during a vigil at Market Place, Reading, in memory of David Wails, Joseph Ritchie-Bennett and James Furlong

Bishop of Reading, the Right Reverend Olivia Graham, gives a reading at tonight's vigil

Business Secretary Alok Sharma, Home Secretary Priti Patel and Mayor of Reading, Cllr David Stevens (right) speak together following a vigil

Reading Borough Council reassured those affected by the attack that they will hold in-person remembrance events in the future when social distancing allows. 

Council leader Jason Brock said: 'There is an overwhelming sense of grief within the Reading community about last Saturday's tragic events.

'The council and public are united in their desire to mourn the victims and appropriately remember them.

'We are encouraging people to pay their respects with us online on Saturday evening, and also to mourn and contribute via the book of condolence and supporting the #ReadingTogether fund.'

Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police John Campbell said: 'In times of such tragedy, we often see the best of our communities and that has certainly been the case in Reading. I know it will take time for everyone to heal but we stand alongside you and will do all that we can to support you, as your police.'  

A police officer stands guard outside a cordoned-off block of flats in Reading, June 23, 2020

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiiwFodHRwczovL3d3dy5kYWlseW1haWwuY28udWsvbmV3cy9hcnRpY2xlLTg0NjY1MDUvUG9saWNlLWNoYXJnZS1tYW4tdGhyZWUtY291bnRzLW11cmRlci10aHJlZS1hdHRlbXB0ZWQtbXVyZGVyLWZvbGxvd2luZy1SZWFkaW5nLWF0dGFjay5odG1s0gGPAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmRhaWx5bWFpbC5jby51ay9uZXdzL2FydGljbGUtODQ2NjUwNS9hbXAvUG9saWNlLWNoYXJnZS1tYW4tdGhyZWUtY291bnRzLW11cmRlci10aHJlZS1hdHRlbXB0ZWQtbXVyZGVyLWZvbGxvd2luZy1SZWFkaW5nLWF0dGFjay5odG1s?oc=5

2020-06-27 21:19:27Z
52780882531892