The timeline of how the Reading terror attack unfolded

Since then, the man responsible for carrying out the knife rampage has been jailed for life and crowdfunders have been set up in memory of Joseph Ritchie Bennet, James Furlong and David Wails.

Here is a timeline of the Forbury Gardens terror attack which happened exactly a year ago today on June 20, 2020.

Forensics scour Forbury Gardens

Saturday June 20

Around 6.45pm: Witnesses say a lone attacker with a knife targeted a group of people in Forbury Gardens near Reading town centre.

6.56pm: First emergency call is made to Thames Valley Police. Chief Constable John Campbell said officers arrested a man within five minutes of the call.

One of the more realistic games ever made

Just before 10pm: Police ask members of the public not to share the graphic images or videos of the incident that are circulating on social media during the evening.

Just before 11pm: Sources tell the PA news agency the incident is suspected to be terror-related.

Khairi Saadallah

- Sunday June 21

Around 1.30am: Thames Valley Police confirms three people have died and another three are seriously injured.

The force confirms a 25-year-old man is under arrest on suspicion of murder.

8.30am: The incident is declared by police a terrorism incident.

Just after 12pm: Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu says there is nothing to suggest anyone else was involved in the attack.

After 1pm: Suspect is understood by PA to be named Khairi Saadallah.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he is "appalled and sickened" and pledges "we will not hesitate to take action" if there are lessons to be learned.

4:55pm: One of the victims in the Reading terror attack is named by The Holt School in Wokingham as James Furlong, its head of history and government and politics.

Just before 6pm: Security sources reveal Saadallah briefly came to the attention of the security services in 2019, but the information provided did not meet the threshold for investigation.

19.06: The suspect is re-arrested under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000, Counter Terrorism Policing South East announce.

20.25: Mr Furlong's family releases a statement through Thames Valley Police in which his parents describe him as "the best son, brother, uncle and partner you could wish for". They add: "We are thankful for the memories he gave us all. We will never forget him and he will live in our hearts forever."

Joseph Ritchie Bennet, James Furlong and David Wails

Monday June 22

The two other victims of the attack are named locally as 39-year-old Joe Ritchie-Bennett, a US citizen who reportedly moved to the UK 15 years ago, and David Wails.

Lessons are cancelled at The Holt School and more than 100 pupils gather to lay flowers and other tributes at the gates.

Friday June 26

Police confirm the three friends killed in the attack each died from single stab wounds.

Three other victims who were taken to hospital with stab injuries were also discharged.

Tributes laid down

Saturday June 27

Thames Valley Police charge Saadallah with three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder.

The mayor of Reading, David Stevens, says the town's community "shall not be divided" by the recent terror attack at a vigil held in memory of the victims one week on.

Sunday June 28

The Government renews calls for schools, offices, hospitals and other public places to be prepared for terrorist attacks following the stabbings.

Thames Valley Police charge Saadallah with three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder.

Wednesday July 1

Saadallah appears at the Old Bailey in London via video-link from Belmarsh Prison for a brief hearing where he only confirms his name, date of birth and his nationality as Libyan.

Friday, July 10

More than £15,000 was raised to go towards the funerals of the three men who were tragically killed during a terror attack in Reading.

The money hopes to go towards buying a permanent tribute for the victims.

Forbury Gardens tribute

Friday, July 31

The inquest into the deaths of Joe Ritchie-Bennett, and James Furlong and David Wails opened.

The senior Coroner for Berkshire, Heidi Connor said: “The impact of these three tragic deaths has been felt not just in Reading, not just in the UK, but across the world.”

Wednesday, November 11

Saadallah, now aged 26, returns to the Old Bailey where he pleads guilty to three murders and three attempted murders.

He had been due to go on trial at the same court on November 30.

The judge tells the court the defendant has submitted a basis of plea, denying substantial preparation or planning, and saying he was not motivated by an ideological cause, in contrast with the prosecution case which is that it was a terror attack.

The judge adjourned sentencing until a later date.

January 11, 2021

Khairi Saadallah is handed a whole-life jail term for murdering James Furlong, 36, David Wails, 49 and 39-year-old Joe Ritchie-Bennett.

Passing sentence Judge Mr Justice Sweeney said it was a "ruthless and brutal" terror attack.

Friday, January 22, 2021

Priti Patel visits attack site in Reading

The family of one of the three men killed by a knifeman in Reading's Forbury Gardens terror attack said they are looking forward to working alongside the Home Secretary at an inquest and hope for "meaningful changes".

James' father Gary Furlong called for Home Secretary Priti Patel to explain why Saadallah was free to kill, and now Robert Ritchie, brother of Joseph, said his family shares in Mr Furlong's concerns.

Monday, June 7

To mark one year since the Forbury Gardens attacks, Reading Together launched a fundraiser after the council outlined plans for a memorial service.

The fundraiser aims to get a permanent memorial to remember Joseph, James and David.