A KILLER screamed “Allahu Akbar” as he murdered three men in a “ruthlessly efficient” attack – but denies being a terrorist, a court heard today.

Libyan refugee Khairi Saadallah, 26, stabbed friends James Furlong, 36, Joseph Ritchie-Bennett, 39, and David Wails, 49, as they drank together after the first lockdown last year.

The “brutal” killings lasting less than a minute took place in Forbury Gardens, Reading, Berks, as the pals enjoyed the newly-relaxed restrictions on socialising on June 20.

Saadallah has admitted three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder in relation to Stephen Young, Patrick Edwards and Nishit Nisudan at the Old Bailey.

The prosecution says it was a planned terror attack – but Saadallah denies he was motivated by an ideological cause.

The court heard Saadallah was a "proud" soldier of a Libyan terrorist cult during the civil war before seeking asylum in the UK.

Photos accessed through Facebook showed the killer posing next to statues and flashing guns dressed in military fatigues, prosecutors claim. 

'PROUD SOLDIER'

When he was interviewed by the Home Office in 2012, he admitted he had been a member of proscribed group Ansar al-Sharia after the fall of Colonel Gadaffi. 

But he insisted he had only taken part because he was scared and claimed he was branded a "traitor" by the rebel militia when he refused to torture their prisoners.

Today's Newton hearing will determine the motivation for his actions and for the judge to decide on the most appropriate legislation under which to sentence the defendant.

Appearing in the dock today, Saadallah wore a traditional kufi hat and navy top as he spoke only to confirm his name.

The killer remained stony-faced as chilling facts of the case were opened by prosecutor Alison Morgan QC.

Ms Morgan said: “In the early evening of 20 June 2020, James Furlong, David Wails and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett were with friends sitting in Forbury Gardens in Reading.

Shouting the words 'Allahu Akbar' the defendant carried out a lethal attack with a knife."

“They were enjoying being able to be together on a summer's evening in the park, as the restrictions of the first lockdown were relaxed.

“Shortly before 7pm, they were murdered in a brutal attack by the defendant, Khairi Saadallah.

“In less than a minute, shouting the words 'Allahu Akbar' ('God is the greatest') the defendant carried out a lethal attack with a knife, killing all three men before they had a chance to respond and try to defend themselves.

“Within the same minute, the defendant went on to attack others nearby, stabbing three more people Stephen Young, Patrick Edwards and Nishit Nisudan, causing them significant injuries.

'The defendant was ruthlessly efficient in his actions. The Prosecution's case is that the attack perpetrated by this defendant was carefully planned and executed with determination and precision.

“The defendant believed that in carrying out this attack he was acting in pursuit of his extremist ideology.

“An extremist ideology that he appears to have held for some time. He believed that in killing as many people as possible that day he was performing an act of religious jihad."

'WHOLE LIFE'

Ms Morgan said the attack was so serious it called for a “whole life tariff” – meaning he must serve his whole sentence without any chance of parole.

The prosecutor said evidence of Saadallah's mental health history would likely be put before the court and said the hearing was expected to last two days.

Grief-stricken families of the victims were present both in court and via a digital link.

Mr Furlong was the head of history, government and politics at The Holt School in Wokingham.

His parents earlier described their son as “beautiful, intelligent, honest and fun” adding he “will live in our hearts forever”.

Mr Ritchie-Bennett's father earlier said: “I absolutely love my son with all of my heart and all of my soul.”

While Mr Wails was described as a man who “always made people smile”.

The trial of issue continues.

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