Khairi Saadallah spent many spells in and out of prison by 2020 for offences including assaulting police officers and emergency workers, racially aggravated harassment and possessing knives.

On one occasion, while being arrested, he called a female officer a "slave" and spat in her face. The victim said it was the "vilest thing" she had been subjected to in the police.

Saadallah, who spent time in Manchester and Reading, lived a chaotic lifestyle involving periods of homelessness, as well as drug and alcohol misuse.

Judge coroner Sir Adrian Fulford said a “cursory review” of Saadallah’s offending in 2020 showed a “deterioration” of his behaviour.

Nikki Mitchell
Home Affairs Correspondent, BBC South

Convicted terrorist Khairi Saadallah will never be released from prison.

He was given a whole-life sentence but what the families of his victims really want to know is could he have been stopped? And if opportunities to stop him were missed?

There are a huge number of state authorities and organisations who came into contact with Saadallah before he launched his attack.

That ranges from the security services through to mental health services and probation. He had only recently been released from prison when the attack happened.

Ultimately, the families want assurances that lessons will be learned from this.

Image source, PA Media

James Furlong's father, Gary, spoke on behalf of the victims' families before the inquest hearing started at about 09:30 BST.

He said: "It is now almost four years since our boys, James, Joseph and David were taken from us in the murderous terror attack by Khairi Saadallah in Forbury Gardens.

"We waited patiently while the criminal trial and appeal by Saadallah ran their course.

"We have listened to six weeks of evidence at the inquest into our boys’ deaths. Now, finally, today is the day we have waited for since June 2020.

"Today we are trusting the judge coroner to give us answers about the deaths of James, Joseph and David.

"Most of all, we are trusting him to make recommendations that will keep us all safer and to prevent other families from facing the pain, heartbreak and loss that we must live with every day."

Image source, Family handouts

David Wails was a 49-year-old scientist who specialised in clean energy.

His parents said he was a "kind and much loved son, brother and uncle who never hurt anyone in his life".

His employer, metals and chemicals firm Johnson Matthey, described him as "a gentle, thoughtful man with a dry sense of humour" who was "proud to use his expertise to make a positive impact on the world".

Joe Ritchie-Bennett, 39, was originally from Philadelphia in the US but had lived in the UK for 15 years.

He had moved to the country after studying fashion design and marketing in Canada.

After he died, his family said: "We LOVED Joe so much and we are in such deep sorrow."

James Furlong, who was 36, was the head of history and government and politics at The Holt School in Wokingham, Berkshire.

His family said he was a "wonderful man", colleagues described him as "talented and inspirational".

The hearing was tasked with looking at the management of Saadallah while in prison and on probation, as well as his mental health, and the assessment and response to his risk of terrorism before the attacks.

The judge coroner Sir Adrian Fulford has overseen the inquest since it started in January and will deliver his conclusion throughout Friday.

Khairi Saadallah killed the three men in Forbury Gardens, Reading, on 20 June 2020.

The park was busy due to the first Covid lockdown restrictions being relaxed in England.

The prosecution told the Old Bailey during his trial he "executed" the men and intended to "kill as many people as he could" in the name of violent jihad.

The Libyan refugee was sentenced in 2021 to a whole-life term.

He also admitted the attempted murders of three other men who were also in the park.

Image source, CTPSE

The conclusion of the inquest into the deaths of James Furlong, 36, Joe Ritchie-Bennett, 39, and David Wails, 49, is taking place at the Old Bailey.

Join us for live updates.