Hero of London Bridge terrorist attack to receive pardon for murder conviction

Steven Gallant could be released early after using a narwhal tusk to fight off attacker Usman Khan

This undated photo provided by West Midlands Police shows Usman Khan. UK counterterrorism police are searching for clues into an attack that left two people dead and three injured near London Bridge. Police said Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, Khan, who was imprisoned six years for terrorism offenses before his release last year stabbed several people in London on Friday, Nov. 29, before being tackled by members of the public and shot dead by officers on the London Bridge. (West Midlands Police via AP)

Usman Khan killed two people in a terrorist attack near London Bridge in November 2019. AP

Oct 19, 2020

A convicted murderer, who became a hero when he confronted a terrorist near London Bridge in November 2019, will be pardoned, the UK's Daily Mirror newspaper reported.

Steven Gallant used an ornamental narwhal tusk to fight off attacker Usman Khan.

Under the royal prerogative of mercy, Gallant will have his sentence reduced and could be free by June 2021, if a parole board agrees he is not a danger to the public.

In 2005, Gallant, 42, was jailed for 17 years for beating a former firefighter, Barrie Jackson, to death outside a pub.

Cambridge University graduate Jack Merritt, 25, was the first victim named from the terrorist attack on London Bridge on Friday.

The Daily Mirror reported that the decision to free Gallant early was backed by at least one member of the victim's family.

“I have mixed emotions – but what happened at London Bridge goes to show the reality that people can change,” Jackson's son Jack, 21, said.

After his role in the London Bridge attack became public, Gallant said he would "never to turn to violence again".

"I can never bring that life back and it is right that I was handed a severe penalty for my actions. Once I'd accepted my punishment, I decided to seek help," he said.

TOPSHOT - Youngsters sit in front of flowers displayed at the entrance of a middle school in Conflans Saint-Honorine, 30kms northwest of Paris, on October 17, 2020, after a teacher was decapitated by an attacker who has been shot dead by policemen. The man suspected of beheading on October 16 ,2020 a French teacher who had shown his students cartoons of the prophet Mohammed was an 18-year-old born in Moscow and originating from Russia's southern region of Chechnya, a judicial source said on October 17. Five more people have been detained over the murder on October 16 ,2020 outside Paris, including the parents of a child at the school where the teacher was working, bringing to nine the total number currently under arrest, said the source, who asked not to be named. The attack happened at around 5 pm (1500 GMT) near a school in Conflans Saint-Honorine, a western suburb of the French capital. The man who was decapitated was a history teacher who had recently shown caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed in class. / AFP / Bertrand GUAY

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In prison he learnt to read and write, started a business studies degree and took part in a rehabilitation project called Learning Together.

He was on day release and attended a Learning Together session in Fishmongers' Hall, near London Bridge, when Khan, who was also at the session, carried out the attack.

Among the victims was Jack Merritt, 25, Gallant’s former prison mentor, friend and conference co-ordinator.

"I could tell something was wrong and had to help," Gallant said after the attack.

"I saw injured people. Khan was standing in the foyer with two large knives in his hands. He was a clear danger to all, so I didn't hesitate."

Gallant used a wooden chair to keep Khan at bay and was handed a narwhal tusk as Khan ran towards him.

“Steve feels a debt of gratitude to all those who helped him to achieve a royal prerogative of mercy," Gallant's solicitor, Neil Hudgell, said.

“He is passionate about using his knowledge and experiences to help others steer away from crime.”

In this grab taken from video made available by @HLOBlog, a man is surrounded by armed police after an incident on London Bridge, in London, Friday, Nov. 29, 2019. A man wearing a fake explosive vest stabbed several people before being tackled by members of the public and then shot dead by armed officers on London Bridge, police and the cityâ€™s mayor say. Police say they are treating it as a terrorist attack. (@HLOBlog via AP) — The attack was carried out close to London Bridge. AP