Reading, United Kingdom – Three victims of the Reading terror attack, James Furlong, Dr. David Wails, and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, tragically lost their lives at the hands of Khairi Saadallah. Following an extensive inquest process, Judge Coroner Sir Adrian Fulford has released his findings at the Old Bailey. The deaths of the victims have been deemed “probably avoidable,” attributed to the shortcomings of multiple agencies.
Saadallah, a Libyan refugee, committed the heinous act by fatally stabbing the three friends in Forbury Gardens on June 20, 2020, while shouting “Allahu akhbar.” The assailant also injured three other individuals before discarding the weapon and fleeing the scene. Saadallah’s prior criminal record, including convictions for theft and assault since his arrival in Britain in 2012, raised concerns about missed opportunities to prevent the tragic event.
Judge Coroner Fulford highlighted the failure of mental health services to adequately address Saadallah’s needs, stating that the deaths could have been avoided if greater attention had been given to stabilizing him and providing long-term psychological therapy. Additionally, the judge noted that a better evaluation of Saadallah’s extremist tendencies could have led to his recall to custody, preventing the attacks from occurring.
The families of the victims, who have endured immense pain and heartbreak since the attack, have awaited the judge coroner’s recommendations with anticipation. Gary Furlong, James’ father, expressed the deep sense of loss and longing for answers regarding the tragic deaths of their loved ones. The verdict brings some closure to the families after years of legal proceedings and the inquest into the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Testimonies from various agencies, including probation, immigration, police, and MI5, shed light on the series of oversights that allowed Saadallah to carry out the brutal assault. The inquest revealed significant inadequacies in the handling of Saadallah by authorities before the incident, with concerns raised about the management of individuals with potential extremist tendencies.
Despite Saadallah receiving a whole-life sentence for the murders, questions remain regarding the systemic failures that contributed to the attack. The inquest’s findings underscore the need for greater vigilance and coordination among agencies to prevent similar tragedies in the future. As the community reflects on the devastating impact of the Reading terror attack, efforts are being made to learn from the mistakes and implement safeguards to protect against such senseless violence.