Trial date for suspect in knife terror case

A MAN accused of carrying out a suspected terror attack in a Reading park in which three friends were killed is set to face a trial in November.

Khairi Saadallah appeared at the Old Bailey yesterday via video-link from Belmarsh prison in south-east London.

The 25-year-old defendant wore a maroon sweatshirt and grey trousers for the court appearance, speaking only to confirm his name.

Saadallah is accused of launching the two-minute stabbing spree in Forbury Gardens in Reading shortly before 7pm on Saturday, June 20.

James Furlong, 36, David Wails, 49, and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, 39, all died, while three other people – their friend Stephen Young, and Patrick Edwards and Nishit Nisudan, who were sitting in a nearby group – were injured.

History teacher Mr Furlong and Mr Ritchie-Bennett, who was a US citizen, were each stabbed once in the neck while scientist Mr Wails was stabbed once in the back.

All three men were declared dead at the scene of the incident.

A previous court hearing last month heard that Saadallah had shouted “Allahu Akbar” moments before the attack.

Saadallah, a Libyan who moved to the UK as a refugee in 2012, is alleged to have attacked his victims in Forbury Gardens on June 20 “without warning or provocation”.

Mr Justice Sweeney said yesterday that he was prepared to set a provisional date of November 30 for a trial, which is expected to last between two and three weeks.

Saadallah, of Basingstoke Road in Reading, will appear again at the Old Bailey for a preparatory hearing on November 6.