Southport Killer Sentenced After "Sadistic" Attack on Children at Dance Class
Axel Rudakubana, an 18-year-old, was sentenced to life imprisonment by Liverpool crown court for the horrific murder of three young girls and for attempting to kill ten others at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport. The attack occurred on July 29, 2024, when Rudakubana, brandishing a 20cm knife, entered a classroom filled with children aged seven to 13 who were making bracelets.
During the hearing, Rudakubana expressed regret during his arrest, stating, “I’m so glad those kids are dead,” shocking the courtroom filled with family members of the victims. He was forcibly removed from the courtroom after interrupting the proceedings to complain of illness.
Rudakubana pleaded guilty to the murders of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, as well as to the attempted murder of eight other children and two adults. He also admitted to possessing an al-Qaida terrorist publication and producing the dangerous toxin ricin.
Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC detailed the gruesome nature of the injuries inflicted on the victims, characterizing the attack as sadistic. Body-camera footage from responding officers captured chaotic scenes inside the studio, revealing the aftermath of the attack as they found victims and witnesses in distress.
Rudakubana had been previously known to authorities, having been referred to the UK's anti-extremism programme, Prevent, three times, but he was not deemed a threat. A public inquiry will analyze the missed opportunities that may have averted this tragic incident, which is one of the most severe attacks on children in recent UK history.
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