A teenager who murdered three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, United Kingdom, last year has been sentenced to more than 50 years in prison, Al Jazeera reported.
Axel Rudakubana, 18, was sentenced on Thursday, with the judge noting that he had attempted to carry out a mass murder of innocent, happy children.
Despite his age, the judge ruled that Rudakubana must serve a minimum of 52 years before being considered for parole, stating that it was likely he would never be released.
Rudakubana, 17 at the time of the attack, killed three young girls–Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine–at a dance class in Southport last July. In addition to the murders, Rudakubana wounded eight other children and two adults.
Axel Rudakubana has been sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 52 years, for the murder of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Bebe King, and Alice da Silva Aguiar and the attempted murder of ten others after the attack in Southport on 29 July 2024. pic.twitter.com/w7hyTwxwr1
— Crown Prosecution Service (@CPSUK) January 23, 2025
“Axel Rudakubana has been sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 52 years, for the murder of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Bebe King, and Alice da Silva Aguiar and the attempted murder of ten others after the attack in Southport on 29 July 2024,” The Crown Prosecution Service posted shortly after the sentencing.
On Monday, Rudakubana admitted to the killings and pleaded guilty to 10 counts of attempted murder, producing ricin, and possessing an al-Qaeda training manual. Prosecutors, however, insisted that Rudakubana had no political or religious motive for his actions but was instead obsessed with violence and genocide.
Rudakubana was not present in court for the sentencing after being removed earlier for disruptive behaviour. His crimes sparked widespread social unrest, with anti-migrant protests and clashes with police occurring across the UK.
We would like to take this moment to pay tribute to Alice Da Silva Aguiar, Bebe King, and Elsie Dot Stancombe who will be forever in our hearts and never be forgotten.
— Merseyside Police (@MerseyPolice) January 23, 2025
Our thoughts are with all of the victims who were injured and traumatised at Hart Space on Monday 29 July.… pic.twitter.com/3HxZQtMkym
Born in Cardiff to Rwandan Christian parents, Rudakubana’s motives remain unclear, and investigations have not yet revealed a definitive cause for his actions. Authorities had been alerted to his violent tendencies prior to the attack.
In response to the attack, the UK government has ordered a public inquiry, citing the need to address critical questions surrounding the incident, Al Jazeera reported.
The attempt by the prosecution to insist that it was not a religiously motivated crime has been raising many questions. Liverpool Muslim Council leader Tawhid Islam was seen trying to divert the question from a Sky News reporter when she mentioned the Al Qaeda material and terrorism charges. He was seen insisting that it should be seen as a general crime against women and not an act of extremism.
What on earth did I just watch?!
— Lee Harris (@addicted2newz) January 23, 2025
'Why are we talking about terrorism and extremism all the time?'
Err… because Axel Rudakubana was producing ricin, had an al Qaeda training manual, and pleaded guilty to terrorism charges.
What TF is wrong with these people?! pic.twitter.com/1AQ5gnfogR
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his commitment to delivering change following one of the country’s most harrowing events. “We owe it to these innocent young girls and all those affected to deliver the change that they deserve,” Starmer said.
As per reports, the MP from Southport has advocated for a review of the sentencing. Reports indicate that Rudakubana showed no remorse, but kept shouting for medical attention, disrupting the court proceedings again and again. Despite being told that all medical treatment has been provided to him, his disruption continued, till the judge ordered him removed.
(With inputs from ANI)
