Reading attack: Khairi Saadallah charged with murder

Stabbing attack left three dead and three more injured in Forbury Gardens

Khairi Saadallah, 25, has been charged with three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder following a knife attack in Reading on 20 June, counter-terror police have said.

James Furlong, 36, David Wails, 49, and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, 39, died of their injuries after spending the afternoon in Forbury Gardens in an attack later designated a terrorist incident by Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dean Haydon, senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing.

A further three people were take to hospital. All have since been released.

Saadallah, of Basingstoke Road, Reading, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday, 29 June.

The three men who died in the assault were all regulars at The Blagrave Arms pub, an LGBT+ friendly space in the centre of Reading. According to Martin Cooper of charity Reading Pride, the men were “a support network for individuals” in that community, while the pub’s landlords described them as dear friends.

The charges were announced just before a private vigil was held in memory of the three men – marking a week since the deadly attack in the Berkshire town.

The Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, James Puxley, paid tribute to Mr Wails, Mr Ritchie-Bennett and Mr Furlong at the ceremony.

“From what I hear they were honest, lovely, outstanding people and good law-abiding citizens”, he said. “They did not deserve what happened to them. They had so many years ahead of them.

“Who knows what they would have achieved in life had they lived to an old age. Doubtless they would have achieved many good things that the community is now deprived of benefiting from.”

He also praised the emergency services and members of the public who helped the victims of the attack, some of whom “tore off their shirts to make bandages”.

The mayor of Reading, David Stevens, added: “Just one week ago, friends and families were sat in Forbury Gardens, just a few yards from here, making the most of the warm weather on a summer’s evening and enjoying one another’s company.

“It was around now, the happiness and tranquillity of the evening was shattered in the cruellest and most horrific way.

“Three men lost their lives and several people sustained injuries. Others were forced to witness the most horrendous scenes.

“Last Saturday, Reading lost James Furlong, Joe Ritchie-Bennett and David Wails. To their families and close friends, we can only imagine your grief.”

Additional reporting by Press Association