Reading, United Kingdom – A judge ruled today that the tragic deaths of James Furlong, Dr. David Wails, and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett during a terror attack in Reading were “probably avoidable” and resulted from the failures of multiple agencies. The culprit behind the killings, Khairi Saadallah, is set to face the verdict by Judge Coroner Sir Adrian Fulford at the Old Bailey.
Saadallah, a Libyan refugee, carried out the fatal stabbings of the three victims on June 20, 2020, in Forbury Gardens, while shouting “Allahu akhbar.” In addition to the deceased, three others were injured before Saadallah was apprehended by an off-duty police officer.
The proceedings of the lengthy inquest highlighted Saadallah’s criminal history since arriving in Britain in 2012, revealing convictions for theft and assault. Judge Coroner Fulford emphasized that the deaths could likely have been prevented if mental health services had prioritized stabilizing Saadallah and providing necessary long-term psychological therapy.
Furthermore, the judge pointed out that a better assessment of Saadallah’s extremist risks would have led to his recall to custody just before the attacks, potentially averting the tragic loss of life. While addressing the court, Judge Coroner Fulford underscored that the mishandling of responsibilities by various agencies had played a significant role in the deaths of the three victims.
Gary Furlong, the father of James, expressed the grief and longing for justice that the families of the victims have endured since the horrific act of violence. As the inquest sessions unfolded over six weeks, family members eagerly awaited the coroner’s recommendations to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
Throughout the inquest, testimonies from probation officers, immigration officials, police personnel, and MI5 representatives shed light on the inadequacies in handling Saadallah’s case before the fateful events unfolded in Reading. The inefficiencies in addressing Saadallah’s mental health issues and mitigating the risks posed by his extremist tendencies were glaring themes throughout the proceedings.
In response to the terror attack, Saadallah received a whole-life sentence in January 2021 after pleading guilty to three murders and three attempted murders. Despite his attempt to appeal the sentence in October of the same year, the Court of Appeal upheld the decision, ensuring that Saadallah would face the consequences of his actions.