Belfast Telegraph

Reading terror attack: victim’s family seek ‘meaningful change’

- By PA Reporters

THE family of a man killed by a terror attacker in a stabbing spree said they are looking forward to working alongside the Home Secretary at an inquest and hope for “meaningful changes”.

US citizen Joseph Ritchie-bennett (39), history teacher James Furlong (36) and scientist Dr David Wails (49) who was a former researcher at Queen’s University Belfast, were stabbed to death by 26-year-old failed Libyan asylum seeker Khairi Saadallah in Forbury Gardens, Reading, on June 20 last year.

Saadallah fought for the extremist Islamic Ansar al-sharia group in Libya.

Three other people — Stephen Young (51), Patrick Edwards (29) and Nishit Nisudan (34) — were also injured before Saadallah threw away the eight-inch knife and ran off, pursued by an off-duty police officer.

He has six conviction­s for some 16 criminal offences since arriving in the UK in 2012, including two for racially or religiousl­y aggravated harassment, eight for offences of violence, and two for the possession of a knife or blade.

In prison, he sought out radical preacher Omar Brooks, who is associated with the banned terrorist organisati­on Al-muhajiroun, and was released from HMP Bullingdon just weeks before the attack on June 5 last year.

Police visited Saadallah the day before the attack after his brother raised concerns, but left after he insisted he was “alright”.

Earlier this month, James’ father Gary Furlong called for Home Secretary Priti Patel to explain why Saadallah was free to kill, and now Robert Ritchie, brother of Joseph, said his family shares in Mr Furlong’s concerns.

Mr Ritchie said: “We join them in their concerns. We have the exact same concerns and questions, and we look forward to such a time where the Ritchie, the Bennett, the Furlong and the Wails families’ concerns are heard at a formal inquest.”

Asked if there is anything he would like to say to the Home Secretary, Mr Ritchie said: “We are thankful to her for the lovely letter that she wrote to our family. We look forward to working alongside her during the formal inquest.

“We are hopeful for meaningful change and meaningful changes to be implemente­d so that no other families, no other family or families, no other people, person or persons, ever have to experience what the Ritchie, the Bennett, the Furlong and the Wails families have experience­d.”

Asked about what changes they would like, Mr Ritchie said: “Let’s see where the formal inquest leads so I can properly answer that question at a later time respectful­ly.”

Speaking after Saadallah was handed a whole life order at the old Bailey, James’ father Gary Furlong said: “In less than 24 hours my son James was dead, Joseph was dead, David was dead. Given his history and the weight of his crimes, how can that be an assessment that this man is not a danger to the public.”

Mr Furlong said “there are now serious questions that need answering” by Priti Patel, including how Saadallah was allowed into the country and why he was able to stay. The UK has not been able to return anyone to Libya since 2014.

On the day of the sentencing, Ms Patel said: “Today justice has been served. While nothing can undo the pain and suffering of the victims’ families, I hope that this sentence brings some degree of comfort to them and everyone who was affected by the appalling attack.”

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 ??  ?? Attack: Forbury Gardens in Reading where David Wails, Joseph Ritchieben­nett and James Furlong were killed and (above) murderer Khairi Saadallah
Attack: Forbury Gardens in Reading where David Wails, Joseph Ritchieben­nett and James Furlong were killed and (above) murderer Khairi Saadallah

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