The families of victims of the Southport stabbing have opened up about the impact of the horrifying attack as the monstrous killer rots in jail.
Appearing on ITV’s Good Morning Britain this morning, Elsie Dot Stancombe’s parents, Jenni and David, revealed they often feel as if “we’ll never feel true happiness again, ever”. They said: “We feel like it’s our duty as her mum and dad to continue writing Elsie’s story for her.”
Axel Rudakubana, of Banks, Lancashire, brutally murdered Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine; Bebe King, six; and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, in broad daylight after storming a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29, 2024. The twisted triple murderer was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 52 years for the “sadistic” murder of the three young girls, the attempted murder of 10 other people, including eight children, as well as the production of ricin and possession of an Al-Qaeda training manual.
According to experts, the 18-year-old knifeman’s life is a “living hell” in prison, where he is set to spend the rest of his days. Rudakubana, who pleaded guilty to all charges, will be nearly 70 before he can even be considered for release, but as the judge said in court, it seems unlikely he will ever be freed. Due to the horrific nature of his crimes, it is believed Rudakubana will now lead an isolated life in his cell, with a clear target on his back.
But because of his tender age, it poses difficulties around where to place him. As he was 17 at the time of the murders, the judge was unable to impose a whole-life order befitting his crimes.
Sentencing the killer, Mr Justice Goose said: “In just 15 minutes, Rudakubana murdered three children and attempted to murder eight other children and two adults. He was prevented from murdering more only by the escape of other children. He will serve almost the whole of his life in custody. I consider it likely he will never be released, and he will be in custody for all of his life.”
A convict of his age is usually held in a Young Offender Institution (YOI), which houses prisoners aged 15 to 21. Once they are old enough, they’re then transferred to an adult prison. However as a result of Rudakubana’s extreme thirst for violence, it has been reported that he will have been sent directly to a Category A adult prison, such as the infamous Belmarsh in London, where he was held before his sentencing.
Criminologist and psychologist Alex Iszatt told the Mirror that Rudakubana’s deep obsession with extreme violence displayed a “desire for control, recognition and perhaps a legacy”. She said: “This craving for destruction seemed to be an attempt to leave a mark on the world as if violence was the only way to gain the recognition long sought.”
But behind bars, Rudakubana’s notoriety will return him no favours and it is likely he will be met with disgust, outrage and violence by his fellow inmates. Senior investigator and prison behaviour specialist John Eastham told the Mirror: “Axel Rudakubana’s life behind bars will be shaped by his age, the media scrutiny of his crimes, and his behaviour both in court and within the prison system.
“At just 18, Rudakubana may be housed in a young offenders’ institution or a segregated unit within an adult prison for his protection. However, the nature of his crimes and the extensive media coverage mean he is likely to face hostility from fellow inmates. High-profile offenders, particularly those involved in violent or high-profile crimes, often become targets in prison.”
Mark Fairhurst, national chairman of the Prison Officers’ Association, said Rudakubana would have the same rights as every other inmate – entitlement to showers, phone calls home and exercise – and would be offered isolation. Mr Fairhurst told The Sun: “If there was any intelligence he was at risk then he would be put in the segregation unit under isolation or to some other part of the prison where he is away from everyone else.”
He added: “His life will be absolute hell. He is target No.1.” It is well known that those who commit offences against children sit at the bottom of the so-called prison hierarchy.
This was only exemplified by the recent case of Urfan Sharif, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his ten-year-old daughter Sara Sharif. Within just weeks of being jailed, the dad was attacked in a cell by two other inmates.
Experts believe it will be a while before Rudakubana is integrated with others for his own protection. Mr Eastham, from the British Lie Detector Test, said it is likely the murderer will be segregated following violent attacks, which may further isolate him and limit his interactions.
“His behaviour in court, marked by disruptions and a lack of remorse raises significant concerns about his willingness to engage with rehabilitation,” he continued. “Reports of his satisfaction with the tragedy he caused point to a troubling lack of accountability and empathy, which could hinder his participation in programmes designed to address behavioural issues and reduce the risk of reoffending. That said, the prison system does offer structured opportunities for reflection and reform.”
Rudakubana has the next five decades to work on himself and think again and again about his heinous crimes, most likely within the four walls of an isolated single cell, but according to Mr Eastham, “his current disposition suggests that meaningful rehabilitation will require a major shift in his attitude and mindset”, and he may never change.
Explaining how his sought-after notoriety will backfire, Mr Eastham said: “Ultimately, while the prison environment provides avenues for growth, Rudakubana’s notoriety and the violent nature of his crimes are likely to make him a target among inmates. This could result in a more challenging and isolated prison experience, which may further complicate his future.”
Former prisoner Rich Jones also believes that violence awaits Rudakubana and has said justice will be served. He told our sister paper, the Liverpool Echo: “If people can get to him they will get to him and it will be a matter of once he gets on the wings, if someone has an axe to grind in there, and they want to grind it, they will grind it with him because of what he has done.”
Rich, who is a British Army veteran and served seven years for conspiracy to supply cocaine, continued: “There will be some sort of justice somewhere down the line, and it will be something he has to deal with for the rest of his life.” The former convict said Rudakubana might face periods of segregation and be in for a “really bumpy ride”.
