Axel Rudakubana was 17 years old when he murdered three girls and tried to kill several others in a rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport in July
Southport killer Axel Rudakubana is not expected to receive a whole life order when he is sentenced on Thursday for murdering three girls at a Taylor Swift themed dance class.
The 18-year-old changed his plea on Day One of a trial at Liverpool Crown Court where he was charged with the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine; Bebe King, six; and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven; who died following the attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at The Hart Space shortly before midday on July 29.
Rudakubana is due to be sentenced on Thursday, but is not expected to be handed a whole life order, which is a sentence considered for the most serious crimes, and means prisoners will die in jail. They will also never be considered for release unless there are exceptional compassionate grounds to warrant it.
But it is understood judges can only impose a whole life order on criminals who were aged 21 and over at the time of the offence, with the punishment only considered for those aged 18 to 20 in exceptional circumstances.
Rudakubana was 17 years old when he murdered three girls and tried to kill several others in a rampage at a dance class in Southport in July.
Rudakubana – who it can now be reported had been reported to the government’s Prevent counter-extremism scheme at least three times – also pleaded to eight counts of attempted murder in relation to eight other children, who cannot be named.
He has also pleaded guilty to the attempted murders of Leanne Lucas and Jonathan Hayes and admitted the possession of a bladed article in a public place, namely a kitchen knife with a curved blade.
The killer entered the dock wearing a grey prison issue jumper and wearing a blue medical face mask, also pleaded guilty to production of a biological toxin, namely ricin, and possession of information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, namely a PDF file entitled “Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants: The Al-Qaeda Training Manual”.
Appearing at Liverpool crown court this morning, the 18-year-old admitted all offences following the attack. When he was asked to stand, he originally remained seated. He also stayed silent when asked to speak his name.
The officers confirmed that proceedings can be heard in the dock. Rudakubana was asked to speak his name again but again remained silent.
Stanley Reiz KC, defending, said: “The defendant hasn’t identified himself but there isn’t any dispute that the man in the dock is Axel Rudakubana and he can hear what’s being said.” Mr Justice Goose asked: “He’s not choosing to speak.”
Mr Reiz replied: “That’s correct.” He then asked if the indictments could be repeated – when Rudakubana entered the guilty pleas.
Justice Goose told him: “Axel Rudakubana you can hear me, I know. You have now pleaded guilty to this indictment to each of the charges upon it. The next stage is for sentence. That will take place on Thursday. In the meantime you must keep in touch with your barristers, solicitors and the intermediary in order for you to receive any advice or assistance.
“You will understand it’s inevitable that a life sentence will be imposed upon you. In the meantime, you go with the officers and be produced at that hearing at 11 o’clock on Thursday. Take him down.”
