Thread by @lizziedearden

The Reading attacker fought for a terrorist group in Libya and then lied in an asylum application, a court has heard

Khairi Saadallah, who also committed numerous violent and criminal offences in the UK, was refused asylum but could not be deported

independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/…

While serving a prison sentence, he was notified that the home secretary had determined that his deportation would be for the “public good” on 4 June, but steps could not be taken at that time because of the Libyan civil war

Saadallah was released from jail the following day

He carried out the attack little over two weeks later, after doing hostile reconnaissance of Forbury Gardens and making preparations

Saadallah admits murder but denies terrorism. Prosecutors say it was a terror attack, detailing evidence of Islamist ideology dating back to 2011

Prosecutor Alison Morgan QC said Saadallah
"believed that in carrying out this attack he was acting in pursuit of extremist ideology [that] he appears to have held for some time. He believed that in killing as many people as possible he was performing an act of religious jihad"

As Saadallah pleaded guilty, the evidence is being heard at his sentencing hearing in a much denser format than it would have been at trial

There is plenty to unpick, including his online activity and association with a hate preacher in prison

The sentencing hearing will continue tomorrow, when the defence will make their submissions

We will also hear victim impact statements from families of the three men killed, and the survivors who were attacked, before a judge sentences Saadallah on Monday