Axel Rudakubana, 18, was sentenced to 52 years in prison for the brutal murder of three young girls in Southport. The court labeled his attack as “ferocious” and “sadistic.” Rudakubana was found guilty of stabbing the girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. The judge ruled that he would likely never be released, stating he would remain in custody for life.
Previous Warnings Ignored
Two years before the attack, Rudakubana’s parents had called the police four times asking for help. On one occasion, he was caught carrying a knife, but officers only took him home and advised his mother to keep knives out of his reach. Sadly, these warnings were not enough to prevent the tragedy.
Details of the Attack
The attack unfolded quickly. Rudakubana chased and stabbed the young girls, causing fatal injuries. Victims Bebe King (6), Elsie Dot Stancombe (7), and Alice da Silva Aguiar (9) died from the stabbing. Many others were injured, with some suffering multiple stab wounds and broken bones. Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC described the attack as “sadistic.” As a result, Rudakubana received the longest sentence ever given to someone his age: 52 years.
Judge’s Remarks on Parole
Justice Julian Goose, overseeing the case, emphasized that Rudakubana would only be released if a Parole Board determined he no longer posed a danger. Due to his age at the time of the crime, he could not be sentenced to life in prison. If Rudakubana serves his full sentence, he will be nearly 70 years old when released.
Rudakubana’s Disturbing Behavior
During the sentencing, Rudakubana interrupted the judge, demanding medical assistance. He had earlier boasted about the killings, saying, “I’m so glad those kids are dead … it makes me happy.” In addition, he referred to an al-Qaida training manual he had, which he may have used to learn how to make ricin. Although authorities found no evidence of ricin use, his intentions were clear.
Public Inquiry Into Missed Opportunities
A public inquiry will now investigate missed chances to stop Rudakubana before the attack. He had been referred three times to the government’s anti-extremism program, Prevent. However, authorities did not view him as a threat at the time.
