James Furlong
Died 20 June 2020
Who they were
James was head of history, government and politics at The Holt School in Wokingham and originally from Liverpool. The school called him "a kind and gentle man" with a real sense of duty who cared for each and every student. His parents, Janet and Gary, described him as "beautiful, intelligent, honest and fun" and "the best son, brother, uncle and partner you could wish for".
What happened
On the evening of Saturday 20 June 2020, three friends – James Furlong, David Wails and Joe Ritchie-Bennett – were in Forbury Gardens park in Reading when a man attacked visitors with a knife. All three were killed and three others were injured. The attacker pleaded guilty and in January 2021 was given a whole-life order; the judge ruled it a terrorist attack.
Verdict / confirmation
Old Bailey, 11 Jan 2021: guilty pleas to 3 murders + 3 attempted murders; whole-life order (terrorist attack). Leave to appeal refused Oct 2021.
Perpetrator: A 25-year-old Libyan refugee (asylum claim 2012, leave to remain 2018); released from prison 17 days before the attack (BBC, Reuters).