05 June 2023 , 12:22
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A terrorist convicted of killing three men in the Reading terror attack could not be deported as he was facing trial for allegedly eating a mattress at a police station, an inquest has heard.
Khairi Saadallah shouted "Allahu Akhbar" as he fatally stabbed friends James Furlong, 36, Dr David Wails, 49, and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, 39, in the Berkshire town's Forbury Gardens on June 20, 2020.
Saadallah was alleged to have spat at a police officer in an arrest that took place the year before and went on to damage a mattress, a pre-inquest review hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London heard today.
Nicholas Moss KC, counsel to the inquest, said in court papers: "Saadallah is said to have attended Reading police station, spat at a detention officer after arrest, and damaged a mattress by eating it.
Saadallah was alleged to have spat at a police officer and eaten a mattress in an arrest the year before the attack (PA) "He was charged, pleaded not guilty, released on unconditional bail and his trial was adjourned due to Covid.
"It appears that Saadallah was next due in court for these offences in July 2020 - after the date of the attack."
In an email to Thames Valley Police a month before the attack, Home Office staff emailed the force stating that they planned to deport Saadallah but were unable to until "impending charges had been dealt with".
Man in 30s dies after being stabbed in park sparking police probe
James Furlong, 36, Dr David Wails, 49, and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, 39, were fatally wounded in the Forbury Gardens attack (PA)Charges of being drunk and disorderly, destroying or damaging property, and assault by beating an emergency worker were dropped on June 1, 2020.
Other Home Office staff had meanwhile argued against deporting Saadallah as it was dangerous for him to return to Libya at the time, the court heard.
Mr Moss said solicitors to the inquest have now requested a witness statement from the Crown Prosecution Service "addressing why the decision was made not to pursue" the charges.
Saadallah was handed a whole-life sentence at the Old Bailey in 2021 (PA)In addition to the three dead, Stephen Young, 51, Patrick Edwards, 29, and Nishit Nisudan, 34, were also injured before Saadallah threw away the eight-inch knife and ran off while being pursued by an off-duty police officer.
In January 2021, Saadallah was handed a whole-life sentence at the Old Bailey after pleading guilty to three murders and three attempted murders.
Coroner Sir Adrian Fulford PC KC told the court "no relevant stone will be left unturned" during the inquest.