Southport killer Axel Rudakubana’s 52-year jail term is set to be reviewed after concerns were raised it was unduly lenient.
The 18-year-old was jailed for life after murdering three young girls and stabbing several others in an act of “extreme violence” at a Taylor Swift themed dance class.
He was sentenced in his absence after failing to return to the dock, and will now spend decades behind bars for what the judge termed “the most extreme, shocking and exceptionally serious crime”.
Rudakubana avoided a whole-life tariff – which would have ensured he could never leave prison – because he was nine days shy of being 18 when he committed the atrocity. The 52-year sentence is a record length for a person of his age.
Southport’s Labour MP Patrick Hurley has now asked the Attorney General to review the sentence as “unduly lenient”.
Attorney General Lord Hermer and Solicitor General Lucy Rigby now have 28 days to decide whether to refer the sentence to the Court of Appeal.
The families of Rudakubana’s victims shared their pain and anger inside Liverpool Crown Court. Mother of murdered seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, Jenny, described the attack as “the act of a coward” and said Rudakubana was “cruel and pure evil”.
Key Points
- Rudakubana’s 52-year sentence to be reviewed
- Inside the courtroom where Rudakubana was jailed for 52 years
- Alice’s parents say they have been dealt a ‘lifetime sentence'
- Southport killer said ‘I’m so glad...so happy’ to police after killing children
- Breaking: Axel Rudakubana jailed for minimum of 52 years
- Axel Rudakubana removed from court for second time after shouting
Tears, shock and relief: Inside the courtroom where Southport killer Axel Rudakubana was jailed for 52 years
23:41
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Alexander Butler
How a violence-obsessed teen unleashed horror at Southport children’s dance class
23:00
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Alexander Butler
Watch: Axel Rudakubana sentenced to 52 years for Southport murders
21:38
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Alexander Butler
Home secretary says ‘cowardly, evil’ crimes horrified UK
20:21
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Jane Dalton
Home secretary Yvette Cooper said Axel Rudakubana’s “truly horrendous, cowardly and evil crimes” had horrified the UK as she repeated pledges to ensure lessons were learnt from the horror.
“The whole country has been horrified beyond words by these truly horrendous, cowardly and evil crimes,” she said.
“We will always remember Bebe, Elsie and Alice, and the happiness they brought to their families in their short lives.
“And we will remember too the strength and bravery shown by the survivors of this horrific attack, and the astounding courage of those who rushed towards danger and undoubtedly saved many more lives.
“The police and emergency services who responded that day deserve our eternal gratitude, and we thank too the investigators and prosecutors who have worked so hard for justice, and Mr Justice Goose for presiding over these hugely difficult proceedings.
“We have vowed to get the answers the country deserves about how this horror was allowed to happen and to ensure that lessons are learnt.
“I will set out further details of the independent public inquiry soon, but for today all our thoughts are with the families enduring this unimaginable pain, and the example of strength and courage they have provided to us all.”
Grieving father says killer should have been tried as adult
20:04
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Jane Dalton
A parent of one of the children who survived the attack said Rudakubana’s crimes were so horrific he should “rot in jail” and the “law needs changing”.
“Life should mean life,” the father told The Sun. “He’s an adult and should be tried like one.”
Rudakubana will have to serve the minimum term of his sentence, which will be subject to a review by the Parole Board before he could ever be considered for release.
Taking into account the 175 days he has already served on remand, the court heard this meant he will be required to serve 51 years and 190 days before this can happen.
Watch: Southport killer Axel Rudakubana's journey to Taylor Swift dance class where he murdered three girls
19:45
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Alexander Butler
Rudakubana’s 52-year sentence to be reviewed
19:19
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Alexander Butler
Southport killer Axel Rudakubana’s 52-year jail term is set to be reviewed after concerns were raised it was unduly lenient.
The 18-year-old was jailed for life after murdering three young girls and stabbing several others in an act of “extreme violence” at a Taylor Swift themed dance class.
He was sentenced in absence after failing to return to the dock, and will now spend decades behind bars for “the most extreme, shocking and exceptionally serious crime”.
Rudakubana avoided a whole life tariff - which would ensure he could never leave prison - because he was nine days shy of being 18 when he committed the atrocity.
Southport’s Labour MP Patrick Hurley has now asked the Attorney General to review the sentence as “unduly lenient”.
Attorney General Lord Hermer and Solicitor General Lucy Rigby now have 28 days to decide whether to refer the sentence to the Court of Appeal.
Watch: Southport murders ‘most harrowing’ investigation Merseyside Police ever seen
19:00
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Alexander Butler
Director of public prosecutions should resign, Farage says
18:46
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Alexander Butler
Reform called for Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson to resign. Party leader Nigel Farage said: “The judge made clear in his sentencing that Alex Rudakubana had a detailed interest in genocides and massacres, and that he was in possession of an al Qaida manual.
“This barbaric and senseless attack was clearly both political and ideological. Many crimes of much less severity have been declared as terrorism within 24 hours of the incident taking place.
“The British public needs to have confidence in the CPS and our police forces. Tens of millions of British citizens will find it incomprehensible how the CPS decided this was a non-terror incident and maintained that position.
“Those in positions of power have to be accountable and responsible for their actions. Stephen Parkinson, the Director of Public Prosecutions at CPS, should now do the right thing and resign for CPS’ negligence in this case.”
‘We hope it haunts you every day’: Southport families speak out at killer’s sentencing
18:36
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Alexander Butler
Southport killer’s sentence called into question amid calls for law changes
18:18
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Alexander Butler
The Southport killer’s record-high 52-year sentence will be reviewed amid criticism it was not long enough after mounting calls for law changes to see child criminals like him die in jail.
Axel Rudakubana was handed one of the highest minimum custody terms on record after carrying out the sadistic attack at a Taylor Swift-themed class in July aged 17.
Southport’s Labour MP Patrick Hurley said the sentence was “not severe enough” and he had asked the Attorney General to review the sentence as “unduly lenient”, adding: “We need a sentence that represents the severity of this crime that has terrorised the victims and their families.”
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, who was backed by shadow home secretary Chris Philp in her calls, said there was a “strong case” for amending the law to allow for whole life orders to be imposed on people aged under 18 in some cases, which the Conservatives “will start to explore”.
Southport killer gloated he was ‘glad they’re dead’ after murdering three children
17:59
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Alexander Butler
Why wasn’t Southport killer Axel Rudakubana given a whole-life order?
17:50
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Alexander Butler
Reform MP calls for death penalty debate
17:39
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Alexander Butler
Reform UK MP Richard Tice has called for a debate on the death penalty after Southport killer was jailed for 52 years for murdering three girls aged between six and nine.
Mr Tice said:“I don’t think we should be afraid of having a national debate on important big issues like this. I think that many people in the country would like at least a debate.”
Starmer pays tribute to victims’ families
17:32
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Alexander Butler
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “The thoughts of the entire nation are with the families and everyone affected by the unimaginable horrors that unfolded in Southport. No words will ever be able to capture the depth of their pain.
“I want to say directly to the survivors, families and community of Southport – you are not alone. We stand with you in your grief.
“What happened in Southport was an atrocity and as the judge has stated, this vile offender will likely never be released.
“After one of the most harrowing moments in our country’s history we owe it to these innocent young girls and all those affected to deliver the change that they deserve.”
Tory leader calls for law change to keep killer in jail for whole life
17:08
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Holly Evans
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said there was a “strong case” for amending the law to allow for whole-life orders to be imposed on people aged under 18 in some cases, which “Conservatives will start to explore”.
In a post on X, she said: “Axel Rudakubana should never be released from prison. His age means he has not been given a whole-life sentence, despite the countless lives he destroyed on that dreadful day, and the legacy of mistrust he has sown across the country.
“There is a strong case here for amending the law to give clear judicial discretion to award whole-life sentences to under 18s, which Conservatives will start to explore.
My statement on the sentencing of Axel Rudakubana. pic.twitter.com/vtqtqMRpUn
— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) January 23, 2025
“My heart goes out to the victims and their families. None of us can imagine your pain and we owe you justice.”
She added that while the Government’s announcement of an inquiry was welcome it “falls short of what is needed” and insisted it was “absurd that we are debating online knife sales more than we are integration and how we safeguard our society from extreme ideologies and violence”.
The Conservatives will “challenge the Prime Minister on the task he has to ensure that those we welcome into Britain share our values, contribute positively to our society, and how we make sure this continues through multiple generations,” Ms Badenoch said.
“Keir Starmer’s statement on Monday was disappointing. He sidestepped the core issues, focusing instead on legal definitions of terrorism. By avoiding these hard truths he inadvertently politicises our response to this tragedy.”
Police officers line streets ahead of Rudakubana’s departure
17:04
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Holly Evans
Police officers lined the road outside the court as members of the public waited for Axel Rudakubana to leave following his sentencing.
Three police vans parked up at the side of the road leading to the underground van entrance of the court building.
Sentence given to Rudakubana one of the highest on record
17:00
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Holly Evans
The minimum term Axel Rudakubana must serve in custody for the Southport attack is one of the highest on record and is thought to be the longest punishment handed to a killer of his age.
Mr Justice Goose detained the 18-year-old for life with a minimum term of 52 years.
Taking into account the 175 days he has already served on remand, Liverpool Crown Court heard this meant he will be required to serve 51 years and 190 days before he can be considered for release by the Parole Board.
Manchester Arena bomber Hashem Abedi, 23, was handed a record-breaking 55-year minimum term in 2020 for 22 murders and attempted killings. The terrorist orchestrated the 2017 atrocity when he was 20.
Prior to that, the longest minimum term imposed on a terrorist in Britain is believed to have been 50 years in the case of David Copeland.
The 22-year-old was given six life sentences for targeting Brick Lane, Soho and Brixton in 1999 in a 13-day nail bombing campaign that left three people dead and 139 injured.
CCTV shows Southport killer ordering taxi to former school one week before murders
16:55
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Holly Evans
Southport MP asks Attorney General to review ‘unduly lenient’ sentence
16:55
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Holly Evans
Southport’s MP has asked the Attorney General to review Axel Rudakubana’s sentence as “unduly lenient”, saying it is “not severe enough”.
In a post on social media, Patrick Hurley said: “The sentence handed down today is not severe enough, it is not long enough for the crimes committed, we need a sentence that represents the severity of this crime that has terrorised the victims and their families.
“I have submitted a review to the Attorney General to review the sentence, the undue leniency does not reflect the crimes committed and a review is required to uphold public confidence in our justice system.”
Killer has ‘shown no signs of remorse’
16:51
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Holly Evans
Vicki Evans, senior national co-ordinator for Prevent and Pursue at Counter Terrorism Policing, said: “The perpetrator has shown no signs of remorse. He has not explained the motivation of his actions. And we have found no evidence to date that explains why he chose to attack those children or that event.
“The absence of evidence of a motivation means that these acts have not met the legal definition of terrorism. But, to be clear, that does not make the horrendous acts any less terrifying or terrorising for those impacted and the whole community.
“In the same way, we must now consider how we work together in the future to tackle this challenge of individuals who are fixated with all types of extreme violence, both within and beyond the counter terrorism system.
“The perpetrator had contact with a range of services, including the counter terrorism Prevent system.
“Following these attacks, we have worked rapidly with the Home Office to commission a review of this contact and we welcome the announcement of a public inquiry which will examine all services’ previous contact with him.
“The same determination that we put to the investigation is now being applied to examining how the range of agencies involved did not come together to effectively understand and identify and deal with the risk that he posed.”
Dashcam footage from the taxi shows killer entering dance class
16:48
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Holly Evans
Pictured: The weapons kept by killer at his family home in Lancashire
16:43
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Holly Evans
Why wasn’t Southport killer Axel Rudakubana given a whole-life order?
16:40
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Holly Evans
Southport killer Axel Rudakubana been jailed for a minimum of 52 years after pleading guilty to murdering three young girls in a frenzied knife attack last year.
Rudakubana, 18, 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.
Sir Keir Starmer vowed the attack would be a “line in the sand” for Britain while announcing a public inquiry into the atrocity after the killer admitted to 16 offences.
However, despite the lengthy sentence Rudakubana was not given a whole life order. The Independent takes a look at what one is below, and why the killer has avoided one.
Read the full article here:
In pictures: Ricin and safety goggles found in Rudakubana’s bedroom
16:38
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Holly Evans
Merseyside Police have released images of the dangerous items in Axel Rudakubana’s possession, which includes the toxin ricin which was discovered in his bedroom.
Rudakubana had ‘twisted and unhealthy’ obsession with violence
16:34
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Holly Evans
Chief Constable of Merseyside Police Serena Kennedy said: “Today Axel Rudakubana has been sentenced for his cowardly and vicious attack on the young girls who had gathered at Hart Space on July 29, 2024, to have some fun in their school holidays.
“They had come together for a Taylor Swift-themed morning to enjoy dancing, singing and making friendship bracelets in honour of their idol.
“Those girls – who range in age from six to 13 – were the polar opposite of a calculating teenager who carried out the harrowing and atrocious, pre-meditated attack.
“The victims were enjoying a day of youthful innocence untainted by twisted and unhealthy fascination with violence that drove Axel Rudakubana to carry out the atrocities he’d planned in the day’s leading up to July 29. His terrifying attack resulted in the deaths of Bebe, Elsie and Alice.
“According to prosecution counsel today, two of those children suffered particularly horrific injuries, which can only be only describe as sadistic in nature. He also attempted to kill eight other children as they escaped, and two adults and traumatised the remaining children who had managed to escape physically unharmed.
“Since his arrest he has shown no remorse for his actions.”
Family members held hands and hugged as sentence announced
16:28
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Holly Evans
Some family members could be heard to take an audible breath as the sentence was announced.
Relatives held hands and hugged each other but remained silent as the judge announced the remaining sentences.
Breaking: Axel Rudakubana jailed for minimum of 52 years
16:26
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Holly Evans
Axel Rudakubana, 18, has been detained at Liverpool Crown Court for life with a minimum term of 52 years for the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and the attempted murder of eight other children in Southport.
Judge ‘must accept’ no evidence of a terrorist cause
16:22
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Holly Evans
Mr Justice Goose has said he “must accept” that there was no evidence Axel Rudakubana had any terrorist cause, but added his culpability is “equivalent to terrorist matters, whatever its purpose”.
He said that after some of the injured girls escaped he “returned to continue his sustained and brutal violence against two of the youngest of those children, stabbing them multiple times.”
He said: “That demonstrates how determined he was to cause the maximum suffering he could”.
Rudakubana likely to never be released, says judge
16:19
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Amy-Clare Martin
Mr Justice Goose says he will impose a life sentence with a “very substantial” minimum term “which will mean that he will serve almost the whole of his life in custody”.
“I consider it is very likely he will never be released and will spend his whole life in custody,” he said.
Families will ‘never recover’ from deaths of three young girls
16:18
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Holly Evans
Mr Justice Goose said: “I have read each of the victim personal statements and many have been read out to the court.
“They are all deeply moving. The harm Rudakubana has caused to each family, each child and to the community has been profound and permanent.
“For the families of Elsie, Bebe and Alice, they will never recover from what happened to their daughters.
“For those children and adults he attempted to murder their lives will never be the same.”
He added: “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.”
Judge says killer had ‘settled determination’ to carry out mass murder of young girls
16:14
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Holly Evans
Mr Justice Goose said on the day of the attack there were 26 children at the event, “all of whom were happy and enjoying themselves”.
He said Rudakubana targeted these children for the “horrific extreme violence he was intent upon”.
“At 11.45am he arrived, walked into the building up the stairs where he could hear the sound of happy children, in his mind with the intention to murder as many of them as he physically could.
“He wanted to try and carry out mass murder of innocent, happy young girls.”
The judge said: “It was such extreme violence… it is difficult to comprehend why it was done.
“I am sure Rudakubana had the settled determination to carry out these offences and had he been able to, he would have killed each and every child – all 26 of them.”
Judge begins sentencing
16:10
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Holly Evans
Mr Justice Goose has begun his sentencing remarks.
He said: “Many who have heard the evidence summarised by the prosecution in this hearing and have seen CCTV played with a view outside of the building might describe what he did as evil.
“Who would dispute it?
“But, at any view it was at least the most extreme, shocking and exceptionally serious crime.”
He outlined the injuries suffered by the children.
Axel Rudakubana is being sentenced in absence after failing to return to the dock.
Court heard ‘something changed’ in killer at the age of 13
16:05
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Holly Evans
His defence lawyer Mr Reiz said: “What we have in the evidence in this case are detailed records from his school and those compiled by other organisation who have had contact with the defendant once he started to exhibit signs of deviant thinking.
“Those records confirm that he had difficulties with social communications and interaction in-line with his diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, but the available evidence demonstrates that his time at primary school, and indeed during the first two years of secondary school, were unremarkable.
“Something changed in him when he reached the age of 13.”
Girl stabbed is now ‘self-conscious’ of her scar and in state of paranoia
16:00
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Holly Evans
The mother of two girls who survived the attack said the day “changed our lives as a family forever”.
In a statement read in court by prosecutor Deanna Heer KC, the woman said: “This was meant to be a fun summer event and the girls couldn’t wait to take part. It was a normal day, like any other, it didn’t cross our minds that we should be worried about anything happening to them.
“They both love Taylor Swift and were looking forward to spending time with their friends and the teachers.
“The whole day feels so surreal, like a blur. It was the worst day of our lives. Both our daughters suffered horrendous injuries at the hands of this one person.”
The woman said one of her daughters now has “a complete lack of confidence” and has become “severely self-conscious of her scar”.
“She tries her best to wear her scars with pride, however I have caught her crying about the way she looks and she asks me why this has happened to her,” the statement read.
She said the girls “are unable to be left alone for even a matter of minutes” since the attack and are “in a state of paranoia constantly”.
The woman said: “As parents, we feel helpless, we feel guilty. We have to live with the guilt that we sent our children to that event on that day, which will now impact them for the rest of their life … trust has broken between us and our children, they constantly question us about whether they are going to be safe. It feels as though they blame us for taking them there that day.”
She added: “(The girls) are worried that this man will walk the streets again. This is something they constantly speak about and it petrifies them.”
No psychiatric evidence before court, defence says
15:59
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Holly Evans
Stan Reiz KC, defending, told the court: “For offences of such wickedness, the mitigation that I can meaningfully advance on behalf of the defendant is limited.”
Mr Reiz said: “There is no psychiatric evidence before the court that could suggest that a mental disorder contributed to the defendant’s actions.
“However, he did make a transition from a normal, well-disciplined child to someone who was capable of committing acts of such shocking and senseless violence.”
Survivor thought was attack was ‘prank’ before being stabbed
15:51
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Holly Evans
A victim statement was also read from the first child Rudakubana stabbed as he launched his attack.
The girl, aged 10 at the time of the attack, said: “I first thought that the man who stabbed me was a cleaner and when I saw him and what was happening I thought it was a prank.
“I realised it wasn’t a prank when I saw blood coming out of me. I remember everything being fuzzy and everything that was going through my mind was about my family and friends.
“I was thinking, ‘I don’t want to die, I have got to get out of here’.
“When I was outside of the building I was thinking what am I going to do as my phone was inside … I had so much blood coming out of me and I was trying to scream, but I was struggling to scream.
“Mum was screaming, I remember everything that happened with the paramedic and then going to hospital in the air ambulance.
“I was holding my mum’s hand and I just felt heavy and sick. My entire body was in pain.”
The child had to have her spleen removed and skin grafts and now suffers from continuous nightmares.
Father of one survivor was unable to recognise her due to injuries
15:39
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Holly Evans
In a statement, the parents of one of the injured girls said her father was unable to recognise her when he went to pick her up from the dance class because she was so badly injured.
They said: “This is one of many, many moments that tortures both of us.”
They said she was taken to Alder Hey Hospital.
They said: “She woke up still trying to grab onto her best friend. Still trying to escape him. Still trying to run.”
The parents said she told them she had thought Rudakubana was playing a prank and told him she “didn’t want to play”, but he attacked her.
They said: “Our daughter has not only experienced the most violent, frenzied attack on her body, but she’s witnessed so much horror too.
“Her entire childhood has been destroyed by what she experienced and although she survived, she now has to carry that with her for the rest of her life.”
Actions of Rudakubana ‘beyond contempt’ for targeting vulnerable girls
15:34
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Holly Evans
Elsie’s mother continued: “The nature of your actions is beyond contempt. You deliberately chose that place, fully aware that there would be no parents present, fully aware that those girls were vulnerable and unable to protect themselves.
“This was not an act of impulse, it was premeditated. You chose that place, that time and those circumstances, knowing that when we arrived all we would see was the aftermath of the devastation caused.
“We were robbed of the opportunity to protect our girls. If we had been there, this would never have happened and the outcome would have been vastly different.
She added: “Though you have stolen our daughter from us, you will not take away our determination to honour her memory, we will carry her love, positivity and her legacy forward, no matter how much pain you have caused.”
Elsie Dot Stancombe’s mother says his actions are those of a ‘coward'
15:33
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Amy-Clare Martin
The heartbroken mother of seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe said the attack which claimed her daughter’s life was “pure evil”.“What you did was not only cruel and pure evil; it was the act of a coward,” she said in a victim impact statement.
Jenny Stancombe refused to give Rudakubana “the satisfaction” of hearing what he has taken from them.
“We will not let you know anything about her because you don’t deserve to know the extraordinary person she was,” she said.
“You know what you have done, and we hope the weight of that knowledge haunts you every single day.”
Second dance teacher says she ‘doesn’t feel safe in her own home'
15:28
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Holly Evans
A statement from Heidi Liddle, one of the class’s instructors, said she “felt completely helpless” after the attack because she “didn’t know how many children were hurt or where they were”.
In a statement read in court by prosecutor Deanna Heer KC, Ms Liddle said: “I felt isolated from everyone as I felt like I couldn’t leave my home. I was in tears constantly and didn’t feel safe in my own home.”
She went on to say: “The only time I left the house in the coming weeks was to go and see Leanne and the girls at hospital or to attend the funerals of the three girls, which was heartbreaking.
“I replayed the incident over and over in my mind, changing the sequence of events so that myself and the little girl I was with in the toilet, were stabbed and killed.
“I struggled with everyday things, like letting the dogs out, doing any activity that involved me being hunched over, such as hoovering, drying my hair and putting my daughter to bed in her cot, as I envisioned him coming behind me and stabbing me in the back.”
Parents in ‘state of permanent numbness’ without daughter Alice
15:25
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Holly Evans
Alexandra and Sergio Aguiar said in their statement: “Living without Alice is not living at all. It’s a state of permanent numbness.
“We can’t see her picture and videos, they take us back to a time when we were so happy and now we’re in constant pain.
“We have her clothes, her teddies and other belongings. We’ll keep them safe and often hug them when we miss Alice.
“We also have the cat to hug. Alice’s cat. Niko misses her so much. We all do and will miss our perfect baby girl forever.”
Alice’s parents say they have been dealt a ‘lifetime sentence'
15:17
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Holly Evans
Alexandra and Sergio Aguiar said in their statement that Alice woke up on the day she died excited about the dance workshop and with a plan for playing at a friend’s in the pool later.
They said: “It was a perfect plan for a perfect day.”
They continued: “In a matter of minutes our worlds were shattered and turned upside down by the devastating attack on our Alice.
“A pin drop that changed our lives forever.
“We kept our hopes up every second during Alice’s 14-hour fight. But, once she had lost her fight, we lost our lives.”
Mr and Mrs Aguiar said: “Our life went with her. He took us too. Six months of continuous pain and a lifetime sentence. That’s what we got then and the life we live now.
“Our dream girl has been taken away in such a horrible, undeserving way that it shattered our souls.”
