Victim who ‘always wanted to see the best in all people’
THE second victim of Friday’s London Bridge terror attack was a University of Cambridge graduate who had recently applied to join the police, it emerged last night.
Saskia Jones, 23, was described by her family as “funny” and “kind” and someone who had a “positive influence” on all those she met.
Miss Jones, of Stratford-upon-avon, completed an Mphil in criminology last year, and recently applied to the police graduate scheme where she hoped to specialise in victim support.
In a statement, her family said her loss would leave a huge void in the lives of those who had been lucky enough to know her.
They added: “Saskia was a funny, kind, positive influence at the centre of many people’s lives. She had a wonderful sense of mischievous fun and was generous to the point of always wanting to see the best in all people.
“She was intent on living life to the full, and had a wonderful thirst for knowledge, enabling her to be the best she could be. Saskia had a great passion for providing invaluable support to victims of criminal injustice, which led her to the point of recently applying for the police graduate recruitment programme, wishing to specialise in victim support.”
Miss Jones had been attending a prisoner rehabilitation initiative organised by the University of Cambridge’s Learning Together project at Fishmongers’ Hall in the City of London, when Usman Khan, a terrorist who had been freed from prison on licence, began attacking volunteers and delegates with two large knives. She died alongside Jack Merritt, a fellow Cambridge graduate, who was a course coordinator and was also deeply committed to helping prisoners turn their lives around.
Khan, who was released from prison last year after serving eight years of a 16-year sentence for plotting to blow up the London Stock Exchange and other targets, had been invited to attend the event to discuss his experiences behind bars.
But he turned on those who had been trying to help him, stabbing Mr Merritt and Miss Jones to death and injuring at least three others.
Prof Loraine Gelsthorpe, the director of the Institute of Criminology, at Cambridge, paid tribute to both victims. She said: “Saskia’s warm disposition and extraordinary intellectual creativity was combined with a strong belief that people who have committed criminal offences should have opportunities for rehabilitation.
“Though she completed her Mphil in criminology in 2018, her determination to make an enduring and positive impact on society in everything she did led her to stay in contact with the Learning Together community. They valued her contributions enormously and were inspired by her determination to push towards the good.”
Describing Mr Merritt, she said: “All of us at the institute will miss Jack’s quiet humour and rigorous intellect. Jack’s passion for social and criminal justice was infectious. He was deeply creatively and courageously engaged with the world, advocating for a politics of love. He worked tirelessly in dark places to pull towards the light.”
Last month, Miss Jones posted on her Facebook page: “I hope I never get tired of the night sky, of thunderstorms, of watching cream make galaxies in my coffee. This world is ugly. I hope I never grow to be someone who can no longer see the small beautiful things.”
Friends also paid tribute to Miss Jones on social media, Sebastian Lefeuvre wrote that Miss Jones was “such a beautiful person and soul” and “the world is a darker place without her”.
Sophie Ryder, another friend, posted: “Saskia was one of the wittiest,
‘This world is ugly. I hope I never grow to be someone who can no longer see the small beautiful things’
most caring people and taken well too soon in such cruel circumstances.”
Dr Olivia Smith, a lecturer in criminology and social policy at Loughborough University who previously taught Miss Jones, wrote on Twitter: “Saskia was one of those students who makes you so proud to be in this job. I’m so sorry the world won’t get to see what she could have achieved.
“She was one of a kind and loved justice, she would have been a force for good and I’m so sorry for us all that we’ve lost her.”
A vigil is due to take place today to pay tribute to the victims of the attack. Sadiq Khan, the London mayor, will be among those who will gather at Guildhall Yard on at 11am to honour the emergency services and members of the public who responded to the incident.
A book of condolence will be opened at Guildhall Art Gallery.