A teenager who fatally stabbed three young girls during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England has been sentenced to over 50 years in prison, reports AP.
The judge described the crime as "extreme, shocking, and exceptionally serious."
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Judge Julian Goose stated that 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana aimed to carry out a mass killing of "innocent, happy young girls" and had planned to murder as many as possible. However, as Rudakubana was under 18 at the time of the crime, a life sentence without parole could not be imposed. The judge ruled that Rudakubana must serve at least 51 years before being eligible for parole, emphasising that it is unlikely he will ever be released.
The attack occurred in Southport in July, when Rudakubana was 17. He killed three girls, aged 6, 7, and 9, and injured eight other children and two adults. The incident horrified the nation, prompting street protests and a public inquiry into systemic failures, as the attacker had been flagged to authorities multiple times over his fixation on violence.
Disruption in Court
Rudakubana faced charges including three counts of murder, 10 of attempted murder, and possession of weapons and extremist materials. Although he pleaded guilty to all charges earlier in the week, he was absent during the sentencing. On the day of the hearing, he disrupted proceedings by claiming he felt ill, leading to his removal from the courtroom.
The Attack
The tragedy unfolded on the first day of summer vacation as young girls gathered to make bracelets and sing along to Taylor Swift songs. Armed with a large knife, Rudakubana stormed into the dance class and began stabbing the children and their teacher. One girl, stabbed 32 times, managed to survive. Tragically, Alice Da Silva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6, lost their lives. The court was shown harrowing footage of the attack, evoking gasps and tears from those present.
Victim Impact Statements
Survivors and relatives shared the devastating impact of the attack. The dance teacher, Leanne Lucas, described her trauma and survivor's guilt, while a 14-year-old survivor spoke of enduring mental and physical scars. The parents of Alice Da Silva Aguiar expressed their anguish, saying their daughter's death had "shattered our souls."
A Pattern of Violence
Prosecutors revealed that Rudakubana had no clear political or religious motivation but harboured a longstanding obsession with violence. Authorities had flagged him multiple times for concerning behaviour, including carrying weapons, researching school shootings, and assaulting a classmate. Despite these warnings, the danger he posed was not fully recognised.
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National Reckoning
The murders sparked days of anti-immigrant violence, fuelled by false claims that Rudakubana was a recently arrived asylum seeker. Born in Cardiff to Rwandan Christian parents, his motives remain unclear, though investigators found materials on topics like genocide and terrorism on his devices. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for legislative changes to address emerging threats posed by violent individuals acting independently.
The government has announced a public inquiry to examine the systemic failures that allowed this horrific attack to occur.