A DEVOTED sister has said she refuses to feel hatred towards the terrorists who killed her brother - because “terrorism cannot survive without hate”.

Nick Alexander, 35, of Weeley, was shot to death by gunmen in 2015 while working at the Bataclan Theatre in Paris.

In total, 130 people were murdered in a co-ordinated assault by Islamic State extremists on the French capital.

Since then the merchandise manager’s sibling, Zoe, has dedicated herself to keeping his legacy alive and founded the Nick Alexander Memorial Trust in his memory.

Earlier this week she appeared at the Palais de Justice court, where 20 defendants are being tried for their involvement in the horrifying attack.

Speaking in front of the courtroom during what is the biggest trial in the country’s modern history, Zoe’s testimony aimed to re-humanise her brother and give people a sense of who he was.

Gazette:

Zoe said: “It was a great privilege to be able to testify on Nick’s behalf.

“I’ve travelled back and forwards to Paris since the Bataclan testimonies began and heard many survivors and bereaved families speak about the horrors of the night and its devastating impacts in the aftermath.

“It felt really important to stand up and be counted among those other families and although the atmosphere in court is extremely emotional and intense there is also a huge sense of solidarity and strength.”

Zoe also used the platform to deliver a message of hope and resilience in front of the accused.

Describing former Colchester Royal Grammar School student Nick as “not an aggressive or vengeful person”, she said to fuel resentment and division would be disrespectful to her brother.

She added: “Terrorism thrives on fear, division and hatred – it can’t survive without it.

“If we respond with more hatred, more division, then the ripple effects will continue throughout generations.

“As I said in my testimony: ‘You can’t neutralise poison with more poison’.

“What happened that night was barbaric, but we can’t change it.

“What we can and must do is learn how to stop it happening again, otherwise it would have been for nothing and that would be a tragedy.”

“The terrorists tried to leave a legacy of fear and darkness, but we have chosen a legacy of light.”