Hero of London Bridge terror attack has jail time cut by Queen

18 October 2020, 07:42 | Updated: 18 October 2020, 12:54

File photo: Two people died in the November 2019 London Bridge attack
File photo: Two people died in the November 2019 London Bridge attack. Picture: PA

By Megan White

The convicted murderer who helped foil the terror attack on London Bridge last November armed only with a Narwhal tusk will see his sentence cut following an intervention by the Queen.

Steven Gallant, 42, was on day release at the event for reformed prisoners in Fishmonger's Hall when he helped end Usman Khan's rampage, which left two Cambridge graduates dead.

Jack Merrit, 25, and 23-year-old Saskia Jones - both part of the Learning Together scheme to help prisoners access education - were killed, while several others were wounded.

It was Gallant's first time out on licence after being jailed for life with a minimum term of 17 years in 2005 for the murder of a firefighter in Hull.

He helped restrain Khan, who was wearing fake suicide vest and armed with two knives, before the terrorist was shot dead by police.

London Bridge terror attack victims (left) Jack Merritt, 25, and (right) Saskia Jones, 23
London Bridge terror attack victims (left) Jack Merritt, 25, and (right) Saskia Jones, 23. Picture: PA

The Ministry of Justice revealed on Saturday that the Queen had employed the little used "Royal Prerogative of Mercy" to bring Gallant's case before the parole board 10 months early.

The monarch used the power on the advice of Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) 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."

The final decision ultimately rests with the parole board, but it is highly unlikely Gallant will be denied his freedom.

It is understood he has been a model prisoner who has expressed remorse for his crimes and has not faced any punishment or loss of privileges for the past 10 years.

Jack Merritt's father David, 55, welcomed the news.

Lecturer's moving tribute to London Bridge victim Saskia Jones

He told the Daily 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."

Gallant has also participated in a number of interventions, including addressing previous substance abuse, and is in the process of studying for a business degree.

He was one of two men convicted of the murder of Barrie Jackson, 33, who was beaten to death outside a pub in Hull.

The pair lay in wait for Mr Jackson outside the Dolphin after believing he attacked Gallant's girlfriend.

Jackson was sprayed with CS gas and beaten so savagely with a hammer by a group of men that paramedics were unable to find his mouth.

The previous year, Jackson had himself been cleared of the attempted murder of a 64-year-old woman - stamping on her face and dumping her unconscious in a skip. He was convicted of assault.

Jackson's student son Jack, 21, told the Mirror: "In my mind, Gallant has nearly done his time and if someone has undergone rehabilitation and change, which it seems he has, then it's fair enough."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Breaking
Breaking News

Heir to £230m pie fortune found guilty of murdering his best friend on Christmas Eve

Matt Hancock giving evidence at the Covid 19 inquiry

Matt Hancock says government 'got it wrong' with funeral restrictions and visiting dying relatives during pandemic

Body parts - inlcuding arms, legs and a head - belonging to 38-year-old Sarah Mayhew were found in Rowdown Fields in Croydon

Couple facing life in prison after admitting murdering woman and dumping dismembered body parts

'But where are the hams?': Police launch manhunt after thieves steal €200,000 of prized Christmas meat

Police hunt Spanish hamburglars after thieves steal €200,000 of prized Christmas meat

The new advert was published this week.

Rebranded Jaguar sparks further backlash after teasing new car model akin to ‘Tesla Cybertruck’

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech during a ceremony marking the Hebrew calendar anniversary of the Hamas attack on October 7 last year

Arrest warrants issued for Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu, former defence minister and Hamas chief over 'war crimes'

Matt Hancock giving evidence at the Covid 19 inquiry

Matt Hancock tells Covid inquiry government did 'everything we possibly could' during pandemic

Matt Hancock was booed as he arrived to testify at the Covid-19 inquiry

Matt Hancock booed as he arrives to give evidence at Covid inquiry

Four days of weather alerts are in place for the arrival of Storm Bert

Storm Bert set to bring snow, blizzards and downpours as four days of weather warnings issued

Kyiv says Russia has fired an intercontinental ballistic missile in an attack on Ukraine

Russia's revenge: Moscow 'launches intercontinental ballistic missile’ in attack on Ukraine

Hannah Ingram-Moore and Captain Tom

Who is Hannah Ingram-Moore? Captain Tom's 'leading businesswomen daughter'

The "Prescott Punch" is one of the most iconic moments in modern British political history

Infamous moment John Prescott punches protester who threw egg at him

Exclusive
Gordon Brown pays tribute to "working class hero" John Prescott.

Gordon Brown pays tribute to 'colossus' John Prescott after his death aged 86 following battle with Alzheimer's

(L) British lawyer Simone White, 28, is seriously ill in hospital. (R) Bianca Jones, 19, has become the fourth person to die after consuming alleged 'methanol-laced' drinks in Vang Vieng, Laos

London lawyer fights for her life and Australian backpacker dies after drinking 'methanol-laced' shots from bar in Laos

Russia is threatening to use new missiles in Ukraine after US and UK rockets were used in their territory

Putin 'to retaliate with new Frontier missiles in Ukraine' after US and UK give green light to fire rockets in Russia

Smaller drones, costing a fraction of Watchkeeper’s £5.2 million unit price, are being used to great effect in Ukraine for reconnaissance and precision strikes.

The British Army’s £1.35bn Watchkeeper drone programme: From ambition and innovation to delays, failure, and abandonment