London Bridge terror attack: Ashford murderer James Ford moves prisons after receiving death threats following help to tackle terrorist Usman Khan
20:55, 08 December 2019
updated: 07:39, 09 December 2019
A killer from Kent who rushed to take down the London Bridge terrorist has been moved prisons after reportedly receiving death threats.
James Ford is serving a life sentence for murdering 21-year-old Amanda Champion in Ashford 16 years ago.
He was initially hailed a hero for tackling Usman Khan to the ground after stabbing victims Saskia Jones and Jack Merritt dead.
But it is now being reported the 42-year-old convicted murderer has had to move facilities over fears for his safety.
Ford, 42, was originally praised for his efforts to take down Khan, who was wearing a fake bomb vest during the attack in the capital last month.
But it later emerged he was on day release from open prison at HMP Standford Hill on Sheppey serving his sentence for the brutal murder of Amanda.
He was jailed in 2004 after strangling and cutting her throat.
Amanda's family released a powerful statement last week saying Ford did not deserve to be called a hero.
Ford was visiting the rehabilitation event where Khan launched his attack which left Miss Jones, 23, and Mr Meritt, 25, dead.
Threats were made to Ford just hours after it emerged he was Amanda's killer and the person who came to help the London Bridge victims, according to reports in The Sun.
A prison source is quoted by the publication saying Ford - who is due for a parole hearing in the spring - was moved for his own protection "for the next few weeks".
It is understood he has been moved from Standford Hill to nearby HMP Elmley, which is a higher security prison.
Amanda had been reported missing 11 days before her body was found on land off Mead Road near The Albion pub in South Willesborough in July 2003.
