Reading terror attacker dodged deportation as he faced trial for eating police station mattress

A REFUGEE who killed three pals in a park ­terror attack had dodged deportation — because he faced trial for eating a police station mattress.

Libyan Khairi Saadallah was first arrested in July 2019 for allegedly being drunk and disorderly, spitting at an officer and damaging the mattress.

PA

Reading terror attacker Khairi Saadallah dodged deportation as he faced trial for eating a police station mattress[/caption]

But the case was delayed by the pandemic.

In May 2020 Home Office staff said they could not deport him until the charges were dealt with.

Yesterday a pre-inquest review hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London was told the case was dropped on June 1.

Nineteen days later Saadallah stabbed James Furlong, 36, Dr David Wails, 49, and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, 39, in Reading, Berks.

Three other men were injured.

In 2021 Saadallah was given a whole-life sentence at the Old Bailey.

The inquest continues.