Axel Rudakubana, an 18-year-old who carried out a brutal knife attack that left three young girls dead and injured ten others at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, England, has been sentenced to a minimum of 51 years in prison on Thursday.
The sentencing judge, Julian Goose, described the crime as a “mass murder of innocent, happy young girls” and emphasised the profound and permanent harm caused to the victims, their families, and the community.
The families of the victims provided heart-wrenching impact statements in court. Aguiar’s parents described their loss as a “shattering of souls,” while Stancombe’s mother called Rudakubana’s actions “cruel and evil.” Survivors, including children, recounted the lasting trauma of the attack during the hearing.
While life without parole was not an option due to Rudakubana’s age at the time of the crime, the judge’s sentence ensures he will not be eligible for parole until 2075. Goose stated that it is “likely he will never be released,” highlighting the extreme violence of the attack and Rudakubana’s intention to kill every child present.
In addition to the murders and attempted murders, Rudakubana pleaded guilty to producing a biological toxin (ricin) and possessing an Al-Qaeda training manual. These admissions further reflected his dangerous tendency.
The rampage occurred in July 2023 when Rudakubana, then 17, burst into the dance class armed with a large kitchen knife. In just 15 minutes, he killed three girls—Bebe King, 6; Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7; and Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9—and attempted to murder eight other children and two adults.
The court heard that Rudakubana had premeditated the attack, arriving at the scene after researching violent incidents online.
Dance instructor Leanne Lucas and others attempted to shield the children, with some survivors managing to escape despite being stabbed. According to court testimonies, Rudakubana’s violent spree was interrupted only by the bravery of the victims and the swift response of authorities.
The attack shocked the UK, sparking both public mourning and a wave of anti-immigrant misinformation. Although Rudakubana, born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents, was not a Muslim asylum seeker as some rumours suggested, the false narrative fueled riots in over a dozen towns and cities.
In response to the tragedy, home secretary Yvette Cooper announced a public inquiry to examine how authorities failed to prevent the attack.
Rudakubana had been referred to the government’s Prevent program three times over concerns about his violent obsessions but was not adequately monitored. Critics have called for a comprehensive review of the system to ensure future interventions are more effective.