Axel Rudakubana, 18, has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 52 years for the murders of three young girls and the attempted murders of ten others during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, Merseyside.
Rudakubana, who was 17 at the time of the attack on July 29, 2023, admitted to killing Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, Bebe King, 6, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, as well as attempting to kill eight children, their instructor Leanne Lucas, and a businessman, John Hayes.
The attack occurred at the Hart Space studio and lasted 15 minutes. Rudakubana used a 20cm kitchen knife, purchased online, to indiscriminately stab victims. Some were attacked as they fled, and one was pulled back inside the studio.
During sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court, Justice Goose described the killings as “premeditated” and said they caused “shock and revulsion” across the nation. The judge noted Rudakubana had shown no remorse and expressed satisfaction with the murders.
The triple murderer received 13 life sentences. The judge said if Rudakubana had been 18 at the time of the attack, he would have been sentenced to a whole-life term with no possibility of release.
Rudakubana will be 70 before he is eligible for parole, but Justice Goose said it is “highly likely” he will never be released.
Police arrested Rudakubana at the scene, where he was found standing over a victim with the knife still in hand. Authorities later discovered a stash of weapons in his home, including a machete, arrows, and a container of ricin. Analysis of his electronic devices revealed violent materials, including an al Qaeda training manual, which police believe informed his methods.
Rudakubana also pleaded guilty to charges of producing ricin and possession of terrorism-related materials.
Merseyside Police Chief Serena Kennedy said there was no evidence Rudakubana was motivated by political or religious ideology. “This was a cowardly and vicious attack by a young man with an unhealthy obsession with violence,” Kennedy said.
The case has led to a government inquiry into how authorities failed to identify the risk posed by Rudakubana. Between 2019 and 2021, schools referred him three times to the government’s anti-extremism program over concerns about his interest in school shootings and violent acts.
He had multiple interactions with police and mental health services, including being expelled from school for carrying a knife. Despite his history, no disciplinary action was taken against officials who handled his case.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the government would review the definition of terrorism and consider changes if necessary.
