Reading pays tribute to terror victims on first anniversary of attack

Watch: Mike Pearse reports from Reading on today's memorial service

The family and friends of the three men killed in a terror attack in Reading have taken part in a memorial service to commemorate one year since their deaths .

History teacher James Furlong, 36, scientist Dr David Wails, 49, and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, 39, who worked for a pharmaceutical company, were murdered in Forbury Gardens on June 20 last year.

The three friends had been enjoying a summer evening together as lockdown restrictions eased when they were attacked by 26-year-old failed Libyan asylum seeker Khairi Saadallah.

Three other people – Stephen Young, 51, Patrick Edwards, 29, and Nishit Nisudan, 34 – were also injured before Saadallah threw away the eight-inch knife and ran off, pursued by an off-duty police officer.

Saadallah was handed a whole-life sentence in January after he pleaded guilty to three murders and three attempted murders.

A year on, the victims’ loved ones, members of the emergency services who responded on the day and representatives from different elements of Reading’s community were invited to tis afternoon's memorial service.

The service was led by Cllr David Stevens, Mayor of Reading, and included tributes to the victims and readings, followed by the laying of floral tributes at the Forbury Bandstand.

Those unable to attend can watch the service which was live-streamed on Reading Council’s Facebook page.