Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
MURDER CHARGE OVER STABBINGS
Man accused of three park deaths
LIBYAN exile Khairi Saadallah was yesterday charged over the horrific knife attacks in a Reading park.
Saadallah, 25, is accused of three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder.
The charges came seven days after a group of friends were attacked in the evening sunshine at Forbury
Gardens park.
David Wails, 49, Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, 39, and 36-year-old James Furlong each died from a single stab wound, police revealed.
Saadallah is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’
Court tomorrow.
Thames Valley Chief
Constable John Campbell said the men who died had been “cared for and comforted by my officers and others who came to help them in their final moments”. Mr Campbell said Reading should be proud of how it responded. He said it highlighted a “coming together of a diverse community, joined by the bond of humanity, a shared sense of injustice”.
The Metropolitan Police’s Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, also sent condolences and spoke of a need for vigilance.
He said: “I reiterate the need for all of us to think about our collective effort to protect the UK from further atrocities, especially as lockdown eases. If you see any suspicious activity, do not hesitate to report it.”
He spoke ahead of a vigil attended by 50 invited guests last night at 7pm – the time of the attacks. Three lanterns symbolised the loss of life.
Reading Council streamed the event on Facebook and a large screen was erected for locals to watch proceedings.
In a statement, the Furlong family thanked emergency teams and members of the public “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 cared so much and was very proud of each and every one of you.
“James was passionate about creating a more loving and caring society.
“His time was cut far too short but the impact he made will live on. We are so proud of him.”