Axel Rudakubana removed from court after shouting during Southport sentencing: latest
The 18-year-old pleaded guilty to murdering three young girls in a frenzied knife rampage in Southport
Axel Rudakubana arriving at Liverpool Crown Court
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Southport killer Axel Rudakubana has been removed from the dock after shouting over the prosecutor during his sentencing, saying: âI havenât eaten for 10 days. I feel ill. Iâm not going to remain quiet.â
It emerged earlier he was taken to hospital in the early hours of today for medical attention but has attended court to be sentenced, sources have said.
The 18-year-old is facing decades behind bars for murdering three young girls in a frenzied knife attack last year.
Rudakubana stabbed and killed the girls, aged between six and nine, with a 20cm-long kitchen knife as he ambushed a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, Merseyside.
Wearing a surgical face mask while armed with the blade, the then 17-year-old travelled five miles from his family home to the studio where he killed Alice da Silva Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe.
As a trial was set to begin at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, the teenager pleaded guilty to the murder of the three children as well as the attempted murders of eight others.
He also admitted production of a biological toxin and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism. He also pleaded guilty to possession of a knife.
Southport killer rushed to hospital earlier this morning Killer said âIâm so glad...so happyâ to police after killing children Second teacher barricaded toilet door to keep child safe Axel Rudakubanaâs neighbours want to move after learning of horrors carried out by Southport murderer Axel Rudakubanaâs family âdevastatedâ and living in secret location Southport killer bought a knife from Amazon aged 17 Family members remain in court for CCTVFamily members were given the option to leave court ahead of CCTV being played, but all remained in the court.
The court was shown a picture of Axel Rudakubana in the clothes he was wearing on the day, a green hooded jumper and surgical mask.
An aerial picture of the location was shown and the area where the defendant was dropped off in a taxi was pointed out.
Images of the car park outside the studio were also shown.
Holly Evans23 January 2025 12:30
Police officer found Rudakubana with a large kitchen knifeMs Heer said that Sergeant Gillespie was the first officer on the scene at 11.57am when he found âa large crowd of people in a state of complete panicâ.
He entered Hart Space accompanied by acting Sergeant Holden who had his Taser drawn.
The prosecutor said: âAt the top of the stairs they found the defendant standing over the body of Bebe King who had visible and severe stab injuries.
âHe was holding a large, bloodied, kitchen knife, which he dropped when told to do so.â
Holly Evans23 January 2025 12:27
Tears in court as family members hear details of 29 JulySome family members were in tears as the events of 29 July were described to the court.
Relatives had their heads in their hands and wiped their eyes with tissues.
Sobs could be heard from the public gallery.
Holly Evans23 January 2025 12:25
Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe found inside Hart Space buildingMs Heer told the court: âJoel Verite, who had followed the police into the building, picked up Bebe King and carried her out of the building, screaming as he did so.
âIn the studio itself, PS Gillespie found the body of Elsie Dot Stancombe, lying on her back on the floor. It was obvious that she was dead.â
She said soon afterwards, Heidi Liddle and a child she helped were found hiding in the toilet.
âCrying with fear and relief, they were escorted from the building,â Ms Heer said.
Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar, who were killed in the attack in Southport last July (AFP/Getty )Holly Evans23 January 2025 12:25
Man who rushed to help stabbed in the leg by RudakubanaMs Heer continued: âJonathan Hayes was at work at Calculus Holdings, an office located across the landing from the dance studio when he heard screaming and looked out of the window to see some children running across the car park.â
The prosecutor added: âAt this, he left his desk intending to go outside to help.
âAs he walked onto the landing, however, he saw the body of a child, lying motionless on the floor.â
Ms Heer said the child was believed to be Bebe King.
She said: âCrouching over her was the defendant who then began to approach him, following him into his office as he retreated.
âThe defendant swiped at him with a knife, which he tried to grab.
âDuring the confrontation, the defendant stabbed him in the leg and he fell to the ground, shouting for help.
âHis colleague chased the defendant out of the office and shut the door.â
Holly Evans23 January 2025 12:24
Two window cleaners saw teacher screaming âsomeone was stabbing the kidsâThe court heard two window cleaners, Marcin Tyjon and Joel Verite, were driving along Hart Street when they saw a group of children running across the road and a woman, Leanne Lucas, covered in blood.
Ms Heer said: âShe was screaming that someone was stabbing the kids. He could see that she was injured and that there was a child lying on the ground further along the road.â
Outside in the car park, Mr Verite picked up Alice Da Silva Aguiar and took her into the street where CPR was given on the instructions of a 999 operator.
Emergency services near the scene in Hart Street, Southport (James Speakman/PA) (PA Wire)Holly Evans23 January 2025 12:23
Second teacher barricaded toilet door to keep child safeMs Heer told the court: âHeidi Liddle was sitting on the floor helping the children to make bracelets when she heard screaming.
âShe saw the defendant move swiftly across the room. She describes him as lunging through the children, but it was only when he stabbed Leanne that Heidi began to register what was happening.
âShe tried to pull Leanne Lucas away and then started pushing the children towards the exit.
âOne of the girls⊠ran towards the toilet on the landing at the top of the stairs.
âHeidi Liddle followed her inside, locked the door and braced her foot against it. She told (the girl) to remain very quiet, not to make a sound.
âOutside, they could hear children screaming, and then the door rattled.
âWhen she heard voices outside the door crying for the defendant to stop she realised that not all of the children had managed to escapeâ
Amy-Clare Martin23 January 2025 12:21
Dance teacher realised his actions after feeling âknife going into her back'The court heard how screams began 30 seconds after Rudakubana entered the Hart Space studio at 11.45am.
At first, class teacher Leanne Lucas thought he was there to collect a child when he entered the first-floor studio, where children were gathered around tables making bracelets and singing along to Taylor Swift songs.
He quickly moved through the room targeting children, but Leanne only realised what he was doing when she âfelt the knife going into her backâ.
She quickly told the children to run and followed them downstairs into the carpark.
Outside she told them to ârun away, run awayâ, Ms Heer said.
Holly Evans23 January 2025 12:20
Leanne Lucas saw killer outside as children made braceletsMs Heer continued: âThe footage shows that, at about 11.45 the defendant entered The Hart Space and went upstairs towards the studio in which the dance event was taking place.
âWithin 30 seconds, screams can be heard coming from within, followed by children fleeing from the building.
âAt the time the defendant entered the building, all the children were in the first floor studio, together with Leanne Lucas and Heidi Liddle, where they were gathered around the tables making bracelets and singing along to Taylor Swift songs.
âBecause of the heat, Leanne Lucas went to open a window. As she did so, she recalls seeing the defendant outside but thought nothing of it.â
Axel Rudakubana struck at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Hart Street, Southport, on July 29 last year (James Speakman/PA) (PA Wire )Holly Evans23 January 2025 12:19
No 10 refuses to comment on whole-life sentences for under 18 offendersDowning Street declined to comment on calls for whole-life sentences to be extended to cover offenders under the age of 18.
The Prime Ministerâs official spokesman said: âThe thoughts of the Prime Minister and, obviously, the whole country will be with families and everyone impacted by this horrific tragedy today as they relive the trauma of whatâs happened, and the whole country stands with them and the people of Southport who have shown such strength and courage in the face of unimaginable horror.
âGiven court proceedings are ongoing Iâm not going to provide further commentary, including on sentencing, which is a matter for judges.â
Holly Evans23 January 2025 12:17
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