Yahoo Finance Convicted killer who helped foil London Bridge terror attack to be released early
A jailed killer who helped foil the London Bridge terror attack has been granted an earlier parole hearing.
Steven Gallant was on day release when he heroically chased down London Bridge terrorist Usman Khan along with other members of the public.
Under the Royal Prerogative of Mercy the 42-year-old will be offered a 10-month reduced sentence, with his parole hearing moved forward to next June.
However, his release remains a decision for the Parole Board to take after a full risk assessment.
He is currently serving a 17-year sentence handed to him in 2005 for beating firefighter Barrie Jackson to death outside a pub.
But the Mirror has reported that the decision to free the murderer early has been backed by his victim’s family.
Jackson’s student son Jack, 21, said: “I have mixed emotions – but what happened at London Bridge goes to show the reality that people can change.”
Convicted terrorist Khan, 28, killed Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, at Fishmongers Hall next to London Bridge during a Learning Together conference set up to help rehabilitate prisoners.
On Saturday night, Jack’s father David, 55, of Cottenham in Cambridgeshire, told the Mirror: “Steve fully deserves this pardon, or reduction in sentence.
"It is fantastic.
“He was very close to Jack and he turned his life around and reformed.
"I am really pleased for him.”
Mr Gallant's solicitor, Neil Hudgell, said: “Steve feels a debt of gratitude to all those who helped him to achieve a Royal Prerogative of Mercy.
“He is passionate about using his knowledge and experiences to help others steer away from crime.”
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “The Lord Chancellor has granted Steven Gallant a Royal Prerogative of Mercy reducing his minimum tariff of 10 months in recognition of his exceptionally brave actions at Fishmongers’ Hall, which helped save people’s lives despite the tremendous risk to his own.”
