Axel Rudakubana Sentenced to 51 Years for Southport Murders
Axel Rudakubana, 18, has been sentenced to a life sentence with a minimum term of 51 years & 191 days for the murders of three young girls during a dance…
Axel Rudakubana, 18, has been sentenced to a life sentence with a minimum term of 51 years & 191 days for the murders of three young girls during a dance class in Southport last July.
The sentencing took place at Liverpool Crown Court, where Rudakubana appeared in person, with victims’s families watching from the public gallery. Rudakubana, wearing a grey prison issue tracksuit, held his head bent over, hiding his face interrupting proceedings as he claimed to feel seriously unwell.
Axel Branded ‘Coward’ as He Was Removed From Court
Axel had to be removed from court after interrupting proceedings, repeatedly shouting that he was too ill to continue and that he had had chest pains, despite having recently been checked by medical professionals who found no concerns. As he left, he repeatedly shouted ‘don’t continue’.
Proceedings continued in Rudakubana’s absence, with one call from the public gallery branding him a ‘coward’ as he was removed from the court for a second medical assessment.
Prosecuting, Deanna Heer KC said that investigations of his laptop had revealed a picture of someone with "a longstanding obsession with violence, killing and genocide," who carried out a deliberate, planned attack.
In police custody, soon after the attack, the following chilling words were captured from Axel Rudakubana :
"I don't care, I'm feeling neutral… It’s a good thing those children are dead. I’m so glad, I’m so happy… Literally, such a good thing those kids are dead, 6 years old…."
"I'm so glad the children are dead, so glad… So happy, 6 years old. It’s a good thing they are dead, yeah."
These have been taken into consideration in determining his sentencing.
Premeditated And Deliberate Knife Murders
The court heard that Rudakubana, who was 17 at the time of the attack, travelled to the class dance class in silence, not paying his taxi fare and ignoring the driver and members of the public as they called after him.
Families broke down in tears as graphic details of how Axel carried out the attacks were presented in court:
Testimony revealed how he had walked into the class near pick-up time, with teacher Leanne Lucas assuming that he was there to collect a child. He began carrying out knife attacks with precision and stealth. His deadly intent was not apparent to the teacher until, after moving silently from one child to another and attacking from behind, Leanne Lucas felt a knife in her own back.
Deana Heer, summarised for the court:
Lucas ordered the children to flee for safety, with another dance teacher at the scene, Heidi Liddle, seeking protection for herself and a child in a locked toilet cubicle.
Members of the public, alerted by the screams, came to help.
Window cleaner Joel Verite, following instructions from 999 operators, attempted to give CPR to Alice da Silva Aguiar after the girl collapsed in the road from her stab wounds.
Businessman Jonathan Hayes was stabbed in the leg by Rudakubana after he approached the killer, who was kneeling over victim Bebe King.
Police arrived to a chaotic scene, tackling Axel to the ground and arresting him.
Arriving at the scene, officers found a 'large crowd of people in a state of complete panic'.
A member of the public commented:
Sergeant Gillespie and Sergeant Holden entered the building, with taser drawn:
Ms Heer reported:
He was then tackled to the ground.
An Al Qaeda Inspired Methodology
Computer searches reveal that Rudakubana had downloaded an Al-Qaeda terrorism manual multiple times. The manual not only contains instructions on how to produce deadly ricin, found in a plastic tub under the killer’s bed, but also information on assassinations, maximising casualties, and maximising fear, - with specifically instructions for mass killings by knife.
Victim Impact Statements
Heartbreaking victim impact statements were read aloud by survivors and their families, painting a harrowing picture of the physical and emotional toll inflicted by Rudakubana’s actions.
• Alice da Silva Aguiar’s parents, Alexandra and Sergio, said their “world was shattered” by their daughter’s death:
“Living without Alice is not living at all. It’s a state of permanent numbness. Our dream girl has been taken away in such a horrible, undeserving way. He took her, and he took us with her.”
• Dance instructor Leanne Lucas, who was stabbed multiple times, described the lasting trauma she endures:
“I cannot accept praise for surviving, knowing children died. I cannot trust society. I cannot walk down the street without holding my breath, fearing what might happen next.”
• A 14-year-old survivor told the court:
“It’s sickening what you did. You didn’t look human—you looked possessed. Some of us are healing physically, but the mental pain will stay with us forever.”
Judge’s Sentencing Remarks: A Horrified Response to Calculated Violence
Delivering his sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court, Mr. Justice Goose expressed his profound horror at the premeditated and sadistic nature of Axel Rudakubana’s crimes, stating that he would have imposed a whole life order if the law permitted.
“This was an act of calculated brutality, targeting the most vulnerable in our society—innocent children. The suffering you caused to the victims, their families, and the wider community is beyond comprehension. Were it not for your age at the time of these murders, a whole life term would have been entirely appropriate,” the judge said.
A whole life term—reserved for the gravest cases—means the offender is never eligible for release. However, under UK law, such a sentence cannot be imposed on offenders under the age of 18 at the time of their crimes.
Custody for Life with a Substantial Minimum Term
Instead, the judge imposed life imprisonment with a minimum term of 52 years, reflecting the exceptional seriousness of the case. Rudakubana must serve this term in custody before being eligible to apply for release. Even if released, he will remain on license for the rest of his life, subject to recall if he breaches the terms of his release.
Justice Goose emphasized that the sentence ensures Rudakubana will serve “almost all of his life in custody” and expressed doubt that he would ever be released.
Aggravating Factors
The judge outlined several aggravating factors, which justified the substantial sentence:
• The murder of three children, all of whom were exceptionally young and vulnerable.
• The sadistic and sustained violence inflicted on the victims, with repeated stabbings targeting their backs as they tried to escape.
• The premeditated nature of the attacks, which involved meticulous planning and preparation.
• The attempted murder of 10 others, including eight children, highlighting his intent to cause mass casualties.
• His production of ricin, a deadly toxin, and the possession of a terrorism manual providing instructions on assassinations and mass killings.
Mitigating Factors and Guilty Plea
While acknowledging Rudakubana’s youth, Justice Goose noted that his age had already spared him a whole life sentence. He also acknowledged the guilty pleas, which spared victims’ families the trauma of a full trial, but emphasized the late timing of these pleas reduced their mitigating impact.
The judge dismissed any claims of genuine remorse, referencing Rudakubana’s chilling comments in custody:
“Your statements after the attack make clear your feelings. They reveal not just a lack of remorse but a deliberate celebration of your actions.”
Prior Convictions and Autism Diagnosis
The court heard that Rudakubana’s history of violence began as early as age 13, when he attacked a fellow pupil with a hockey stick and brought a knife to school. Justice Goose addressed his autism diagnosis, noting that it did not provide any explanation for his crimes or diminish his culpability.
“While the defendant has been diagnosed with high-functioning autism, no expert evidence has been provided to suggest this contributed to his actions. His behavior was calculated, premeditated, and devoid of humanity.”
Concurrent Sentences for Other Offences
In addition to the life sentences for the murders, concurrent sentences were imposed for:
• Attempted murders of eight children and two adults: Minimum term of 18 years.
• Production of ricin: 12 years in custody.
• Possession of a terrorist manual: 18 months in custody.
Final Remarks
The judge concluded:
“The magnitude of your crimes, the devastation you have caused, and the risk you pose to society justify the imposition of this substantial minimum term. While the law prevents me from imposing a whole life term, this sentence ensures that you will be held accountable for the rest of your life.”
Justice Goose’s sentence reflects both the enormity of Rudakubana’s actions and the enduring impact on the victims, their families, and the Southport community.
Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.
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