Southport Councillor urges for community not to be forgotten
Councillor Sean Halsall says support must continue as the attack will "live with people in the town forever".
A Southport Councillor is calling for support to continue as the town continues to mourn the murder of three young girls in July 2024.
They say the town is still in grief after Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, died following the attack at the Taylor Swift-themed class in The Hart Space on a small business park in the seaside town shortly before midday on July 29.
Councillor Sean Halsall tells us that he has never been more proud of his community for their response in the wake of the attack, but he says the support must continue: "It's an act of violence that is never going to be forgotten, and its going to live with people in the town forever.
"It feels like that healing process in the broader community has started, although obviously for the families and those directly impacted I don't think there is any amount of time that is going to heal the damage done on that day."
Councillor Halsall added: "Also making sure for the families and those directly involved that day the support keeps on coming and making sure that the people listen to the families and what the families want is what happens."
Axel Rudakubana, of Banks, Lancashire, who was 17 at the time of the attack, admitted their murders as well as the attempted murders of eight other children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, class instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes.
Prosecutors described the defendant as a "young man with a sickening and sustained interest in death and violence", saying the attack left an "enduring mark on our community and the nation for its savagery and senselessness".
It has now emerged that he was referred to the government anti-extremism scheme Prevent three times before the murders, amid concerns over his fixation with violence.
Sir Keir Starmer said the conviction of the "vile and sick Southport killer" Axel Rudakubana was welcome but a "moment of trauma for the nation".
In a statement on Monday, the Prime Minister said: "Our thoughts are with the families of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, and the families of everyone affected, who will be saved the ordeal of a protracted trial.
"The news that the vile and sick Southport killer will be convicted is welcome.
"It is also a moment of trauma for the nation, and there are grave questions to answer as to how the state failed in its ultimate duty to protect these young girls.
"Britain will rightly demand answers, and we will leave no stone unturned in that pursuit.
"At the centre of this horrific event, there is still a family and community grief that is raw, a pain that not even justice can ever truly heal. Although no words today can ever truly convey the depths of that pain, I want the families to know that our thoughts are with them and everyone in Southport affected by this barbaric crime.
"The whole nation grieves with them."
Speaking outside court following the guilty pleas entered by Axel Rudakubana, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Ursula Doyle said: "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."
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