Axel Rudakubana jailed for life for Southport murders
The 18-year-old has been sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court
Last updated 27th Jan 2025
The 18-year-old who murdered three little girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport has been jailed for life.
Axel Rudakubana, of Banks, Lancashire, will spend at least 52 years behind bars after also pleading guilty to ten counts of attempted murder, the production of the biological toxin ricin, and the possession of a pdf file named 'Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants: The Al-Qaeda Training Manual'.
Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Da Silva Aguiar, nine, died after being attacked in Hart Space just before midday on 29 July 2024.
Rudakubana, who was 17 at the time of the attack, attempted to murder eight other children - whose identities can't be revealed - as well as yoga teacher Leanne Lucas and businessman Jonathan Hayes.
The ricin and the Al Qaeda training manual were found during searches of Rudakabana's home in Banks, which he shared with his parents.
Rudakubana was arrested on the day of the attack and charged a short time later with murder, attempted murder, and possessing a bladed article.
It was around three months later when he was charged with the ricin and Al-Qaeda manual offences.
Dashcam and CCTV footage showed him taking a taxi to Hart Street, asking for directions and then getting out of the taxi without paying.
He is told to pay by another man nearby, when he replies saying 'What are you going to do about it'? He then walks towards Hart Space and enters around 11:45am.
Around 30 seconds later, screams could then be heard and children running out of the building.
He was arrested inside the building by officers close to midday.
Click here to listen to how the town's darkest day prompted an extraordinary show of togetherness from the local community
He refused to speak during any of his court appearances, with not guilty pleas entered on his behalf at his plea hearing in December.
Rudakubana's trial was due to begin on Monday (20 January), but he asked for the indictment to be put to him again so he could change his pleas to guilty.
During sentencing, Rudakubana started shouting to complain of feeling unwell and needing a paramedic - his counsel confirmed that he had not eaten for days and barely drank either.
The judge ordered for the sentencing to continue, but Rudakabana continued to shout and the Justice Goose ordered for him to leave the dock.
The families weren't in attendance for his guilty pleas, as the prosecution case wasn't set to open until the Tuesday.
Speaking after the guilty pleas were entered, Ursula Doyle, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor with CPS Mersey-Cheshire said:
"Axel Rudakubana has today pleaded guilty to the murder of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Bebe King, and Alice da Silva Aguiar – as well as the attempted murder of ten others – including Leanne Lucas and John Hayes.
"This was an unspeakable attack – one which left an enduring mark on our community and the nation for its savagery and senselessness.
"At the start of the school holidays, a day which should have been one of carefree innocence; of children enjoying a dance workshop and making friendship bracelets, became a scene of the darkest horror as Axel Rudakubana carried out his meticulously planned rampage.
"It is clear that this was a young man with a sickening and sustained interest in death and violence. He has shown no sign of remorse.
"The prosecution was determined to prove his guilt and I am deeply grateful that today’s plea has spared the families at the heart of this case the pain of having to relive their ordeal through a trial.
"Today, our thoughts are with all those whose lives were altered by what happened on that day.
"Most of all, we think of Elsie, Bebe, and Alice – the three beautiful young girls whose lives were cut short – and wish strength and courage to the families who loved and cherished them."
Speaking after sentencing, Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said:
"Today, Axel Rudakubana has been sentenced for his cowardly and vicious attack on the young girls who had gathered at Hart Space on 29 July to have some fun in their school holidays. They had come together for a Taylor Swift themed morning to enjoy dancing, singing and making friendship bracelets in honour of their idol.
"Those girls, who ranged in age from 6 to 13, were the polar opposite of the calculating teenager who carried out the harrowing and atrocious pre-meditated attack.
"The victims were enjoying a day of youthful innocence, untainted by the twisted and unhealthy fascination with violence that drove Axel Rudakubana to carry out the atrocities he had planned in the days leading up to the event.
"His terrifying attack resulted in the deaths of Bebe, Elsie and Alice – according to prosecution counsel today two of those children suffered particularly horrific injuries which can only be described as sadistic in nature. He also attempted to kill eight other children as they tried to escape and two adults, and traumatised the remaining children who managed to escape physically unharmed. Since his arrest he has shown no remorse for his actions.
"When his home was searched following his arrest, a number of weapons were recovered including the biological toxin ricin which the defendant had produced in his bedroom.
"On his computer devices a large number of images and documents were found which demonstrated that he had a long-standing obsession with violence, killing and genocide. Amongst those documents was a version of the Al-Qaeda training manual, which provides instruction on how to commit acts of terror, including with a knife and with poisons, including ricin.
"Having researched atrocities committed by others the evidence suggests that he set out to emulate them on 29 July. There is no evidence that he ascribed to any particular political or religious ideology; he wasn’t fighting for a cause. His only purpose was to kill and he targeted the youngest, most vulnerable in order to spread the greatest level of fear and outrage, which he succeeded in doing.
"I know that the conviction and sentencing today will not take away the distress, and trauma suffered by the victims and their families, how can it?
"These events have impacted and will continue to impact the victims and their lives every day forever.
"They won’t be able to just switch off and move on, but I hope that knowing he is now convicted of the most horrendous crime and is now convicted for the most horrendous of crimes and is now in prison will bring some small amount of comfort.
"I would like to take some time to pay tribute to the first responders from Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, North West Ambulance Service and brave members of the public who attended on the day to apprehend the offender and provide medical care, first aid and support to the victims following the attack.
"I would like to thank the Investigation Team headed up by Detective Chief Inspector Jason Pye, who have investigated this atrocity since 29 July to ensure they gathered all available evidence so that justice could be done. I would also like to thank the Family Liaison Officers who have provided support and compassion to the families of Bebe, Elsie, and Alice and those who were injured during the most traumatic time of their lives.
"The investigation team has worked tirelessly to build up a strong evidential case to provide to the CPS. And although we don’t know why he did it, what we can say is that he was a young man with an unhealthy obsession with violence. We know that he had researched various documents online which show that obsession, but we can say that from all those documents no one ideology was uncovered and that is why this has not been treated as terrorism.
"In addition, I would like to thank the Crown Prosecution Service, who have worked with us since the beginning of this incident to ensure justice was done.
"Counter Terrorism Policing have provided guidance and expertise throughout, and while the facts of the case meant this incident was not deemed terror-related under current legislation, their input has been invaluable and I want to take this opportunity to thank them for their work.
"This is the most harrowing, large-scale investigation the force has ever dealt with and I am extremely proud of the way the investigation team has painstakingly examined and assessed everything put before them.
"From what was already a close-knit community we are working together with them and partners to makes sure there is a lasting legacy and the victims of the events on 29 July are never forgotten.
"I would like to express my gratitude to the community of Southport who came together to support families following the attack and then again when violent disorder brought chaos to the streets. A place where the community spirit has shone through at this dark time. What was already a close-knit community gained even more strength.
"We welcome the announcement of the Southport Public Inquiry. Merseyside Police will participate fully with the inquiry and approach it with candour to ensure that the horrific incident of 29 July 2024 and the events that led to it are fully understood. We will ensure that any learning and recommendations from the reviews that are ongoing and the Public Inquiry are implemented.
"Finally, I want to thank the victims and the families for the dignity and understanding they have shown since 29 July. I would also like to pay tribute to three little girls, Bebe, Elsie and Alice whose beautiful faces and names will be etched in the minds of people across Merseyside and the UK forever."
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