Axel Rudakubana has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 52 years for the brutal murders of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport. Additionally, he received concurrent life sentences with minimum terms of 18 years for attempting to murder eight other children, two adults, and for several other charges related to his criminal actions.
The 17-year-old, who was nine days shy of turning 18 when the attacks occurred, was handed a total of 13 life sentences, with Judge Justice Goose noting that it is unlikely he will ever be released. Furthermore, Rudakubana was given sentences for producing ricin, possessing an Al-Qaeda manual, and carrying a knife, among other offenses.
The murders occurred on 29 July 2024, when Rudakubana launched a knife attack during the dance class at The Hart Space, killing Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Bebe King, six. He also attempted to kill several others, including children, dance instructor Leanne Lucas, and businessman John Hayes.
The reason Rudakubana did not receive a whole life order, typically reserved for the most heinous crimes, is due to his age at the time of the killings. According to the Police, Crime, Sentencing, and Courts Act 2022, such sentences are only applicable to those aged 18 or older when committing the crime.
When arrested, Rudakubana reportedly said, “I’m glad those kids are dead.” During his court proceedings, he displayed further troubling behavior, including shouting for a paramedic despite being cleared by medical staff. His outbursts were met with frustration from the judge, who continued the hearing despite Rudakubana’s attempts to delay the process.
Rudakubana had pleaded guilty to all 16 offenses, including the three murders, on the first day of his trial in July 2024. While the attack was not deemed a terrorist incident, evidence showed that he had been in possession of an Al-Qaeda training manual, a knife, and had also been producing ricin.
Born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents, Rudakubana moved to Southport in 2013. His background included a troubling history, with reports indicating that the police had visited his home several times before the attack. The tragic incident shocked the community and has left many grappling with the horror of what occurred that day.
One of the survivors, a 14-year-old girl, provided a chilling account of the attack, describing the slow-motion horror of watching Rudakubana stab her and others. She expressed disgust over his actions, calling him a coward and questioning the motivation behind such senseless violence. The surviving victims, along with the families of those who perished, are left to cope with the aftermath of this devastating act.
