Killer who tackled London Bridge terrorist is ‘no hero’ says his victim’s family

The family of a killer's victim have said he is 'no hero' after helping bring down the London Bridge terrorist.

James Ford, 42, found himself embroiled in the London Bridge attack on Friday and it is believed he tried to save the life of a woman amid the horror incident.

He was initially hailed as a hero – until it emerged he was a convicted murderer on day release from his life sentence.

Ford was jailed for life in 2004 for the murder of 21-year-old Amanda Champion, who was found strangled with her throat cut in Ashford, Kent, in July 2003.

Amanda's aunt Angela Cox told how she was contacted by Kent Police who informed her Ford had been involved in the terror attack yesterday as a member of the public.

Angela, 65, was left shocked and angry after Ford appeared on TV.

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Speaking to the Daily Mail , she said: "He is not a hero – he is a murderer out on day release, which us as a family didn't know anything about. He murdered a disabled girl. He is not a hero, absolutely not.

"The police liaison officer called me saying he was on the TV. I am so angry. They let him out without even telling us. Any of my family could have been in London and just bumped into him."

Angela said she was "angry" Ford was out on day release after the horrific murder of her niece – who had the mental age of a 15-year-old.

Ford was caught after a Samaritans worker, who he had called and confessed to, went to police with the tip off.

He is understood to be in the final days of his sentence at HMP Standford Hill, an open prison in Kent.

Members of the public helped to bring down the terrorist identified as 28-year-old Usman Khan before police quickly arrived at the scene and shot him dead.

Khan was convicted in 2012 for terrorism offences and released from prison last December on licence, Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said.

Today police said officers from the Counter Terrorism Command have been working flat out with security services to try and establish the full circumstances of what happened yesterday.

A statement from Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu said: "At this time, we have found no evidence to suggest anybody else was involved in this attack. However, we are still making extensive enquiries to ensure there were no other people involved. Our investigative priority at this time is to ensure that there is no related outstanding threat to the public.

“To this end, we have carried out two searches at addresses both in the Staffordshire and Stoke areas. Our officers are being supported with this by officers from Staffordshire and the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Police. I would like to thank them, as well as the local community in those areas, for the support they’ve shown as we carry out these crucial enquiries.

“The investigation team has also spoken to many of those who were present at Fishmongers’ Hall, but I would appeal to anyone who was there on Friday, or anyone who hasn’t been spoken to, to contact police on 0800 789 321 immediately."

The statement added: “We now know that this attack began inside Fishmongers’ Hall just before 14:00hrs yesterday. The attacker, whose identity we confirmed last night, stabbed a number of people inside the building and as a result, five people have suffered injuries.

“Three people – a man and two women – were injured and remain in hospital. Their families have been contacted and specialist officers are supporting them.

“Tragically, two people – a man and a woman – were killed during the attack.

“On behalf of the entire policing family, I would like to offer my heartfelt thoughts and condolences to all those families, both deceased and who still remain in hospital, and everyone affected by this tragedy."

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