LONDON TERROR ATTACK TRIBUTES TO RIP JACK: BEAUTIFUL SPIRIT & CHAMPION FOR THE UNDERDOGS

‘WARMEST HEART’: Jack was a champion for ex-offenders

THE father of one of the victims of the London Bridge terror attack has described his son as a “beautiful spirit”.

Jack Merritt, 25, was leading a rehabilitation event for ex-cons when he was stabbed to death by convicted terrorist Usman Khan.

Khan then went on the rampage through the heart of the capital, killing a woman and wounding three other people.

He was armed with two kitchen knives, one of which was taped to his hand, and was also wearing a fake suicide vest.

The 28-year-old was tackled and disarmed by bystanders on London Bridge before being shot dead by police.

Khan had stabbed Jack at the nearby Fishmongers’ Hall after attending the Learning Together conference, called to show that ex-offenders could be capable of redemption.

It was being led by Cambridge graduate and rehabilitation worker Jack, described as a “champion” for former criminals.

The victim’s devastated father, David Merritt, paid tribute to him on Twitter.

He wrote: “My son, Jack, who was killed in this attack, would not wish his death to be used as the pretext for more draconian sentences or for detaining people unnecessarily.

“R.I.P. Jack: you were a beautiful spirit who always took the side of the underdog.”

He added: “Jack spoke so highly of all the people he worked with & he loved his job.

“Thank you for your support. I know his colleagues are in shock – please look after each other at this terrible time.”

In reply, a friend wrote: “David, I knew your son through Learning Together & I loved him to pieces.

“He was the sweetest, most caring and selfless individual I’ve ever met. The warmest heart, always with time for anyone. Completely irreplaceable – I will mourn his loss greatly and honour his memory xxxx.”

Jack graduated in law at the University of Manchester before going on to study at Cambridge University.

Before uni he attended Hills Road Sixth Form College in Cambridge.

Jack’s Instagram page was filled with photos from recent travels with his girlfriend Leanne O’Brien and pals.

His Twitter feed contained tweets that were critical of Conservative government policies, including cuts to the criminal justice system.

Yesterday, one of the three survivors of the attack was upgraded to a stable condition after initially being rushed to hospital with critical injuries.

A second person was stable, while the third is believed to have less serious injuries.