Southport Killer’s Laptop Held Jihadi John Image

The public inquiry into the Southport killings has heard that the attacker, Axel Rudakubana, possessed disturbing extremist imagery, including a picture of the Islamic State terrorist known as Jihadi John.

In his opening statement at Liverpool Town Hall, counsel to the inquiry Nicholas Moss KC said police recovered “very disturbing” material from Rudakubana’s tablet. The content included images of Jihadi John, Adolf Hitler, scenes of slavery, degrading scenes from Nazi Germany, mistreatment of women and graphic injuries.

Jihadi John, later identified as Mohammed Emwazi, became one of the most notorious figures associated with the Islamic State group after appearing in a series of propaganda videos in 2014 and 2015. Dressed in black with his face covered, he carried out the filmed beheadings of Western hostages including journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, and aid workers Alan Henning and David Haines. His calm, cold delivery of threats in a British accent, combined with the brutality of the killings, turned him into a global symbol of ISIS terror tactics. The videos were widely circulated online, sparking international outrage, and his identity became the subject of a major investigation until he was confirmed killed in a US drone strike in Syria in 2015.

Concerns Raised Years Earlier

The inquiry heard that more than three years before the attack, a teacher who worked one-to-one with Rudakubana had warned he could be “easily radicalised” and would pose a “huge risk to others”. The concerns were raised after the then-14-year-old posted images of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on social media.

In an email to the headteacher of The Acorns School in February 2021, the teacher wrote:

“I am concerned as I think he may not be active, but he could easily be radicalised and would be a huge risk if this happened – the risk would be very real of harm to others.”

The Gaddafi posts prompted the second of three referrals to Prevent, the Government’s counter-extremism programme. None of the referrals were taken further.

Attack on Children’s Dance Class

Rudakubana went on to carry out the Southport attack in July 2024. Armed with knives, he targeted children at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday dance club. Six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar were killed.

He also attempted to murder eight further children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, along with dance instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes, who intervened.

Rudakubana, then 17, was convicted in January and sentenced to a minimum term of 52 years. He received 13 life sentences for three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder.

He also admitted producing the biological toxin ricin and possessing an al-Qaeda training manual, contrary to the Terrorism Act. He avoided a whole life order only because he was nine days short of his 18th birthday at the time of the killings.

Internet Searches Before Attack

The inquiry was told that Rudakubana attempted to wipe browsing history from some of his devices on the day of the attack. However, investigators found he used one device to search the social media platform X for “Mar Mari Emmanuel stabbing” – a knife attack on an Australian bishop – shortly before setting off.

Mr Moss KC said Rudakubana searched for the video “just minutes before” taking a taxi, and 40 minutes later launched his attack. He described the timing as “sobering and concerning”.

No Terrorist Ideology Found

Despite the extremist imagery found on his devices, police concluded that Rudakubana’s actions were not driven by any religious or terrorist ideology. Mr Moss said the families of the victims “have made clear that they wish to understand how this conclusion was reached”.

Further Incidents in Custody

Since his conviction, Rudakubana has been accused of further violence while in custody. Earlier this year, he allegedly attacked a prison officer at HMP Belmarsh with boiling water.

The inquiry, which opened in July, is examining events leading up to the attack and whether it could have been prevented. Early hearings have included statements from victims and their families.

Proceedings continue.