🔴 Live Coverage of Southport Sentencing 🧵
Today, Axel Rudakubana - the teenager that has pled guilty to the Southport Massacre - will be sentenced in Liverpool Crown Court.
The public can expect to hear:
• The public will see Rudakubana en-masse for th first time
• Mitigating and aggravating factors in Rudakubana's case
• Impact statements from victims and their families
• The judge's ruling and Rudakubana's sentencing
This is expected to take several hours but I will be covering events from start to finish on this thread 👇
Today, Axel Rudakubana - the teenager that has pled guilty to the Southport Massacre - will be sentenced in Liverpool Crown Court.
The public can expect to hear:
• The public will see Rudakubana en-masse for th first time
• Mitigating and aggravating factors in Rudakubana's case
• Impact statements from victims and their families
• The judge's ruling and Rudakubana's sentencing
This is expected to take several hours but I will be covering events from start to finish on this thread 👇
Axel Rudakubana arrives with a substantial police escort at Liverpool Crown Court
Alice Dasilva Aguiar's parents - one of the three girls murdered - are known to be in court today
Rudakubana is REFUSING to leave his cell!
I have it from an exclusive source that the Southport killer is refusing to come out of his sell to face sentencing.
I have it from an exclusive source that the Southport killer is refusing to come out of his sell to face sentencing.
Rudakubana is said to have been rushed to hospital last night for "medical attention"
Rudakubana has now entered the dock.
Rudakubana had his head down. His wearing a grey tracksuit and again is wearing a blue surgical mask over the lower half of his face..
He immediately sat and put his head down onto his knees.
He did not respond at all when asked to confirm his name.
An intermediary sat in the dock next to him.
He immediately sat and put his head down onto his knees.
He did not respond at all when asked to confirm his name.
An intermediary sat in the dock next to him.
More than 30 members of the victims’ families sat in the public gallery of the dock for the sentencing hearing and the court heard there were others in an annexe.
Twelve members of the media are in court, with others in an overspill and more than 70 people watching on a link.
Twelve members of the media are in court, with others in an overspill and more than 70 people watching on a link.
"I'm glad they're dead" said Rudakubana
Prosecutors have said the injuries suffered by the Southport murder victims are “difficult to explain as anything other than sadistic in nature”.
Police report that after the attack, as he was held in a custody suite, Rudakubana had said “I’m glad they’re dead."
I can now also exclusively reveal that he had asked officers, "How old was the youngest killed?"
The Police said 6-years-old. And Rudakubana laughed.
Prosecutors have said the injuries suffered by the Southport murder victims are “difficult to explain as anything other than sadistic in nature”.
Police report that after the attack, as he was held in a custody suite, Rudakubana had said “I’m glad they’re dead."
I can now also exclusively reveal that he had asked officers, "How old was the youngest killed?"
The Police said 6-years-old. And Rudakubana laughed.
Rudakubana shouts 'I feel ill' as opening note read out
As Deanna Heer KC (prosecution) gave an account of Rudakubana's crime, Rudakubana turned to a dock officer and said: “I’m not fine, I feel ill.”
He then started to shout repeatedly: “I need to speak to a paramedic, I feel ill.”
He added: “You’re not giving me any support judge, I feel ill.”
As Deanna Heer KC (prosecution) gave an account of Rudakubana's crime, Rudakubana turned to a dock officer and said: “I’m not fine, I feel ill.”
He then started to shout repeatedly: “I need to speak to a paramedic, I feel ill.”
He added: “You’re not giving me any support judge, I feel ill.”
Rudakubana has now been removed from court after shouting that he has not eaten for ten days.
During the sentencing, he shouted: “I can’t remain quiet. I haven’t eaten for 10 days. I feel ill. I’m not going to remain quiet.”
Stanley Reiz, the KC defending, said: “He has not eaten for a number of days, He has drunk very little over that period of time.
“There was concern about his ability to be in a high pressure situation.”
Mr Justice Goose said he had been reassured Rudakubana was fit to attend and the court would continue until 1pm when there would be a break.
During the sentencing, he shouted: “I can’t remain quiet. I haven’t eaten for 10 days. I feel ill. I’m not going to remain quiet.”
Stanley Reiz, the KC defending, said: “He has not eaten for a number of days, He has drunk very little over that period of time.
“There was concern about his ability to be in a high pressure situation.”
Mr Justice Goose said he had been reassured Rudakubana was fit to attend and the court would continue until 1pm when there would be a break.
Meresyside Police are now saying Rudakubana did NOT go to hospital in the early hours of this morning.
Computer history showed 'long standing obsession with violence'
The prosecution said the killer's computer history showed a "long standing obsession with violence, killing and genocide."
“Amongst those documents was a version of the Al-Qaeda training manual, which provides instruction on how to commit acts of terror, including with a knife and with poisons, including ricin," Deanna Heer KC, said.
“When his home was searched following his arrest, a number of weapons were recovered including the biological toxin ricin which the defendant had produced in his bedroom.”
I can also exclusively reveal now that Rudakubana also had a machete and a bow and arrow under his bed.
The prosecution said the killer's computer history showed a "long standing obsession with violence, killing and genocide."
“Amongst those documents was a version of the Al-Qaeda training manual, which provides instruction on how to commit acts of terror, including with a knife and with poisons, including ricin," Deanna Heer KC, said.
“When his home was searched following his arrest, a number of weapons were recovered including the biological toxin ricin which the defendant had produced in his bedroom.”
I can also exclusively reveal now that Rudakubana also had a machete and a bow and arrow under his bed.
Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC told Axel Rudakubana’s sentencing that "his only purpose was to kill."
“He targeted the youngest, most vulnerable in order to spread the greatest level of fear and outrage, which he succeeded in doing," she said.
“Having researched atrocities committed by others, the evidence suggests that he set out to emulate them on the 29 July. There is no evidence that he ascribed to any particular political or religious ideology; he wasn’t fighting for a cause.
“Whilst under arrest at the police station after the incident, Axel Rudakubana was heard to say, “It’s a good thing those children are dead… I’m so glad… so happy’.”
“He targeted the youngest, most vulnerable in order to spread the greatest level of fear and outrage, which he succeeded in doing," she said.
“Having researched atrocities committed by others, the evidence suggests that he set out to emulate them on the 29 July. There is no evidence that he ascribed to any particular political or religious ideology; he wasn’t fighting for a cause.
“Whilst under arrest at the police station after the incident, Axel Rudakubana was heard to say, “It’s a good thing those children are dead… I’m so glad… so happy’.”
Rudakubana has being seen by court room medics who have said there is nothing significantly wrong with him.
“Medical staff have seen Rudakubana. They are happy with his state of fitness but would like a second opinion from a doctor.”
Mr Justice Goose said: “That can continue whilst we continue with proceedings.”
Earlier this morning, The Times reported the 18-year-old had been seen by doctors, but was told his issues were not serious enough to delay the sentencing.
“Medical staff have seen Rudakubana. They are happy with his state of fitness but would like a second opinion from a doctor.”
Mr Justice Goose said: “That can continue whilst we continue with proceedings.”
Earlier this morning, The Times reported the 18-year-old had been seen by doctors, but was told his issues were not serious enough to delay the sentencing.
A family member shouts 'coward' as Rudakubana was ejected from the court.
Other relatives shook their heads as he left.
Rudakubana had been shouting: “It’s not my fault, I feel ill.”
He repeatedly shouted for a paramedic.
When the judge tried to carry on with the case, Rudakubana shouted: “Don’t continue.”
He was then told to leave the dock.
Mr Justice Goose said he would be brought back in to be sentenced later in the day.
The prosecution opening is continuing in his absence.
Other relatives shook their heads as he left.
Rudakubana had been shouting: “It’s not my fault, I feel ill.”
He repeatedly shouted for a paramedic.
When the judge tried to carry on with the case, Rudakubana shouted: “Don’t continue.”
He was then told to leave the dock.
Mr Justice Goose said he would be brought back in to be sentenced later in the day.
The prosecution opening is continuing in his absence.
The prosecution read Leanne Lucus's - the dance class teacher - witness statement.
She describes feeling the knife plunging into her back and screaming at the child to, "Run away. Run away."
Children screamed as Rudakubana chased them round the room.
CCTV footage shows the children spilling out into the street.
She describes feeling the knife plunging into her back and screaming at the child to, "Run away. Run away."
Children screamed as Rudakubana chased them round the room.
CCTV footage shows the children spilling out into the street.
Children were making bracelets as the killer entered, the court has heard.
“The 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," the prosecution said.
“Within 30 seconds, screams can be heard coming from within, followed by children fleeing from the building.
“At 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.
“Because 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.”
“The 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," the prosecution said.
“Within 30 seconds, screams can be heard coming from within, followed by children fleeing from the building.
“At 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.
“Because 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.”
The prosecution continues.
Ms Heer, prosecuting, said a woman was waiting to collect her daughter “when she heard screaming and saw people running from the building”.
“She managed to grab her daughter and get her into the car. Three other children also got into her vehicle, one of whom… had a bleeding injury to her chest.“
Alice Da Silva Aguiar, collapsed by the side of the vehicle, badly injured.”
She later died.
Ms Heer, prosecuting, said a woman was waiting to collect her daughter “when she heard screaming and saw people running from the building”.
“She managed to grab her daughter and get her into the car. Three other children also got into her vehicle, one of whom… had a bleeding injury to her chest.“
Alice Da Silva Aguiar, collapsed by the side of the vehicle, badly injured.”
She later died.
Members in the public gallery are sobbing.
Some family members were in tears as the events of July 29 were described. Relatives had their heads in their hands and wiped their eyes with tissues. Sobs can be heard throughout the courtroom.
Some family members were in tears as the events of July 29 were described. Relatives had their heads in their hands and wiped their eyes with tissues. Sobs can be heard throughout the courtroom.
The prosecution reads Heidi Liddle's account - another of the dance teachers.
She was sitting on the floor helping the children to make bracelets when she heard screaming.
“She saw Rudakubana 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.
“She tried to pull Leanne Lucas away and then started pushing the children towards the exit.
“One of the girls… ran towards the toilet on the landing at the top of the stairs.
“Heidi 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.
“Outside, they could hear children screaming, and then the door rattled.
“When she heard voices outside the door crying for the defendant to stop she realised that not all of the children had managed to escape...”
She was sitting on the floor helping the children to make bracelets when she heard screaming.
“She saw Rudakubana 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.
“She tried to pull Leanne Lucas away and then started pushing the children towards the exit.
“One of the girls… ran towards the toilet on the landing at the top of the stairs.
“Heidi 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.
“Outside, they could hear children screaming, and then the door rattled.
“When she heard voices outside the door crying for the defendant to stop she realised that not all of the children had managed to escape...”
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.
The prosecution said: “She 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.”
The prosecution said: “She 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.”
Heer told the court: “Joel 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.
“In 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.”
She said soon afterwards, Heidi Liddle and a child she helped were found hiding in the toilet.
“Crying with fear and relief, they were escorted from the building,” Heer said.
“In 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.”
She said soon afterwards, Heidi Liddle and a child she helped were found hiding in the toilet.
“Crying with fear and relief, they were escorted from the building,” Heer said.
Family 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.
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.
Footage of Axel Rudakubana in the taxi arriving was played to the court.
He was heard asking the driver where 34a Hart Street was.
The driver points in the direction of the building and then asks if Rudakubana is paying with cash or card.
Rudakubana leaves the vehicle without paying.
Another clip showed the driver shouting “oi” as the defendant walks away and then follow him, saying: “You paying or what?”
Rudakubana walks away from the vehicle.
He was heard asking the driver where 34a Hart Street was.
The driver points in the direction of the building and then asks if Rudakubana is paying with cash or card.
Rudakubana leaves the vehicle without paying.
Another clip showed the driver shouting “oi” as the defendant walks away and then follow him, saying: “You paying or what?”
Rudakubana walks away from the vehicle.
The taxi drives alongside Rudakubana with the driver asking: “Are you paying?”
The driver threatened to call the police.
Rudakubana is seen trying the door of the Hart Space, then knocking on it.
He then goes up a stairwell to the side.
Minutes later screams can be heard and CCTV shows children running outside.
Families were in tears as the video was played.
Deanna Heer KC paused to allow families a chance to leave court, but all remained seated.
The driver threatened to call the police.
Rudakubana is seen trying the door of the Hart Space, then knocking on it.
He then goes up a stairwell to the side.
Minutes later screams can be heard and CCTV shows children running outside.
Families were in tears as the video was played.
Deanna Heer KC paused to allow families a chance to leave court, but all remained seated.
Sorry, this will begin to get harder and harder to read.
Footage is then showed of one child trying to leave but being pulled back in.
Gasps and sobs were heard from the public gallery as the girl was seen to re-emerge and collapse on the floor outside.
One woman in the public gallery put her hand over her face and sobbed, being comforted by those sitting next to her, as the video was played.
Footage is then showed of one child trying to leave but being pulled back in.
Gasps and sobs were heard from the public gallery as the girl was seen to re-emerge and collapse on the floor outside.
One woman in the public gallery put her hand over her face and sobbed, being comforted by those sitting next to her, as the video was played.
CCTV footage continues to be played in court.
In the footage, police are seen arriving and a member of the public tells them: “You need a f****** gun mate, he’s got a knife.”
Bodycam footage showed officers enter the building and tell Rudakubana to drop the knife.
They tackle him to the floor and arrest him.
A further clip showed police finding Heidi Liddle and a child in the toilet, sobbing.
The police officer tells Liddle: “Listen, listen, listen, you’re safe.”
In the footage, police are seen arriving and a member of the public tells them: “You need a f****** gun mate, he’s got a knife.”
Bodycam footage showed officers enter the building and tell Rudakubana to drop the knife.
They tackle him to the floor and arrest him.
A further clip showed police finding Heidi Liddle and a child in the toilet, sobbing.
The police officer tells Liddle: “Listen, listen, listen, you’re safe.”
A picture of the knife used by Rudakubana is shown to the court.
Pathological evidence is being read out.
Some members of the families left court.
She said: “In all, 13 people suffered stab injuries, three of whom were killed.
“Many of the stab wounds that were inflicted caused body injury, which suggests they were inflicted with a severe degree of force.
“Many were inflicted to the back of the victims, suggesting they were inflicted as the victims were trying to escape.
Some members of the families left court.
She said: “In all, 13 people suffered stab injuries, three of whom were killed.
“Many of the stab wounds that were inflicted caused body injury, which suggests they were inflicted with a severe degree of force.
“Many were inflicted to the back of the victims, suggesting they were inflicted as the victims were trying to escape.
Elsie Stancombe had 'at least 85 sharp force injuries'
Elsie Dot Stancombe was pronounced dead at the scene, with the cause of her death cited as multiple stab wounds, the prosecution said.
The prosecutor said her body was found lying just inside the door to the studio but blood pattern examination suggested that she was initially attacked by the window.
A trail of her blood led from there towards the door where it appears she collapsed before she could get out of the room, the prosecutor said.
Heer said blood staining suggested that she received further blows after he had collapsed whilst she was lying on the floor.
She said a postmortem examination found that she had “at least 85 sharp force injuries."
The prosecutor then went through the many injuries Elsie sustained, including defensive injuries to her upper limbs.
The prosecutor said: “In the opinion of the pathologist, her injuries were untreatable however, quickly emergency help would have arrived.
Elsie Dot Stancombe was pronounced dead at the scene, with the cause of her death cited as multiple stab wounds, the prosecution said.
The prosecutor said her body was found lying just inside the door to the studio but blood pattern examination suggested that she was initially attacked by the window.
A trail of her blood led from there towards the door where it appears she collapsed before she could get out of the room, the prosecutor said.
Heer said blood staining suggested that she received further blows after he had collapsed whilst she was lying on the floor.
She said a postmortem examination found that she had “at least 85 sharp force injuries."
The prosecutor then went through the many injuries Elsie sustained, including defensive injuries to her upper limbs.
The prosecutor said: “In the opinion of the pathologist, her injuries were untreatable however, quickly emergency help would have arrived.
Bebe King suffered at least 122 sharp force injuries
She had sustained injuries 'on landing and on floor'
Another victim, six-year-old Bebe King was pronounced dead at the scene just after 1pm, the court heard.
Deanna Heer KC said she was found on the landing, outside the studio door, but forensic evidence suggested she was injured within the studio before she made it out onto the landing, and that she sustained further blows whilst lying on the floor.
She had sustained injuries 'on landing and on floor'
Another victim, six-year-old Bebe King was pronounced dead at the scene just after 1pm, the court heard.
Deanna Heer KC said she was found on the landing, outside the studio door, but forensic evidence suggested she was injured within the studio before she made it out onto the landing, and that she sustained further blows whilst lying on the floor.
Alice Da Silva Aguiar died the day after the attack
"She managed to get out of the building alive but her blood was found in the studio near the tables around which the children were gathered making bracelets, suggesting she was initially stabbed in this area," the prosecution told Liverpool Crown Court.
“Further spots of her blood were found on the skirting board of the stairs which could be the result of her receiving further injuries as she fled down the stairway.
“She was assessed by a paramedic outside the scene. She had sustained a number of severe wounds and her heart had stopped beating. She was taken to hospital where doctors were able to re-establish a pulse but they could not control her bleeding and despite emergency surgery, frankly her injuries were too serious to survive and she was pronounced dead at 1:20 the following morning.
The prosecutor said the post-mortem examination had found a severe head injury which was likely to have caused some bleeding within the brain.
Alice also had four deep stab wounds to her back which caused which resulted in heavy blood loss and caused air to enter the pleural cavity.
Two of the wounds cut through her ribs.
“It was these injuries that caused Alice to go into cardiac arrest at the scene, which meant that her heart stopped pumping blood to her brain and caused her brain damage due to lack of oxygen,” Ms Heer told the court.
“The damage to her skull and ribs suggests that the injuries were inflicted with severe force. The cause of death has been given as multiple stab wounds.”
"She managed to get out of the building alive but her blood was found in the studio near the tables around which the children were gathered making bracelets, suggesting she was initially stabbed in this area," the prosecution told Liverpool Crown Court.
“Further spots of her blood were found on the skirting board of the stairs which could be the result of her receiving further injuries as she fled down the stairway.
“She was assessed by a paramedic outside the scene. She had sustained a number of severe wounds and her heart had stopped beating. She was taken to hospital where doctors were able to re-establish a pulse but they could not control her bleeding and despite emergency surgery, frankly her injuries were too serious to survive and she was pronounced dead at 1:20 the following morning.
The prosecutor said the post-mortem examination had found a severe head injury which was likely to have caused some bleeding within the brain.
Alice also had four deep stab wounds to her back which caused which resulted in heavy blood loss and caused air to enter the pleural cavity.
Two of the wounds cut through her ribs.
“It was these injuries that caused Alice to go into cardiac arrest at the scene, which meant that her heart stopped pumping blood to her brain and caused her brain damage due to lack of oxygen,” Ms Heer told the court.
“The damage to her skull and ribs suggests that the injuries were inflicted with severe force. The cause of death has been given as multiple stab wounds.”
One survivor stabbed 32 times
A little girl seen on CCTV being pulled back into the building by Rudakubana, having almost escaped, was stabbed 32 times, the court heard.
The prosecution said she was taken to Alder Hey Hospital in a life-threatening condition and underwent surgery.
The most significant wound to her back penetrated her diaphragm and kidney, the court was told.
A little girl seen on CCTV being pulled back into the building by Rudakubana, having almost escaped, was stabbed 32 times, the court heard.
The prosecution said she was taken to Alder Hey Hospital in a life-threatening condition and underwent surgery.
The most significant wound to her back penetrated her diaphragm and kidney, the court was told.
Another girl suffered eight stab wounds
Another 10-year-old girl who survived the Southport attack suffered eight stab wounds.
She said: “Blood stains found in the stairwell confirm that she was bleeding as she ran down the stairs in order to escape from the building.”
The prosecutor said she had a defensive wound to her left forearm.
Another 10-year-old girl who survived the Southport attack suffered eight stab wounds.
She said: “Blood stains found in the stairwell confirm that she was bleeding as she ran down the stairs in order to escape from the building.”
The prosecutor said she had a defensive wound to her left forearm.
Another nine-year-old girl also treated for stab wounds
She was treated at Alder Hey Hospital for three wounds to the back of her chest.
Two of her vertebrae were also fractured.
The QC added: “The force involved in inflicting these wounds was likely to have been at or approaching severe force.”
She was treated at Alder Hey Hospital for three wounds to the back of her chest.
Two of her vertebrae were also fractured.
The QC added: “The force involved in inflicting these wounds was likely to have been at or approaching severe force.”
Rudakubana attacked two other young victims
The prosecution also detailed injuries to another girl, aged eight, who was taken to Alder Hey Hospital, having suffered a single stab wound to the back of her chest.
Finally the court heard of an injuries to a girl aged seven.
She had a cut to her chin and a wound to her arm which was repaired in surgery the following day.
The prosecution also detailed injuries to another girl, aged eight, who was taken to Alder Hey Hospital, having suffered a single stab wound to the back of her chest.
Finally the court heard of an injuries to a girl aged seven.
She had a cut to her chin and a wound to her arm which was repaired in surgery the following day.
Yoga teacher required urgent transfusion
Leanne Lucas, who was 35, was taken to the Aintree University Hospital in a life threatening condition and required an urgent transfusion “due to major blood loss”.
She was found to have suffered five stab wounds.
The prosecutor said she suffered internal injuries and various fractures.
Heer said: “The force involved in inflicting these wounds was likely to have been at or approaching severe force.”
Leanne Lucas, who was 35, was taken to the Aintree University Hospital in a life threatening condition and required an urgent transfusion “due to major blood loss”.
She was found to have suffered five stab wounds.
The prosecutor said she suffered internal injuries and various fractures.
Heer said: “The force involved in inflicting these wounds was likely to have been at or approaching severe force.”
Another three girls injured by attacker
Describing the injuries of the survivors, the prosecution said a 10-year-old girl was taken by air ambulance to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital in a life-threatening condition. The girl had to have her spleen removed, which has life-lasting effects. She will have to take antibiotics for the rest of her life.
The court heard an eight-year-old girl suffered four stab wounds.
A 13-year-old girl was taken to Aintree University Hospital where she also required an urgent transfusion due to major blood loss, having suffered two stab wounds to her shoulder and chest.
Describing the injuries of the survivors, the prosecution said a 10-year-old girl was taken by air ambulance to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital in a life-threatening condition. The girl had to have her spleen removed, which has life-lasting effects. She will have to take antibiotics for the rest of her life.
The court heard an eight-year-old girl suffered four stab wounds.
A 13-year-old girl was taken to Aintree University Hospital where she also required an urgent transfusion due to major blood loss, having suffered two stab wounds to her shoulder and chest.
Case now adjourned until 2pm.
Court is now back in session.
A new drawing from the court of Rudakubana when he began shouting in court about not getting support from the judge over his purported illness.
Axel Rudakubana returned to the dock of Liverpool Crown Court as his sentencing hearing resumed following a lunchtime break.
He looked around the court briefly before dropping his head to his lap.
Before he entered, Justice Goose said: “I understand the defendant has actually been seen again and found to be fit, physically, to come into court for the moment, he continues to indicate that were he to do so he would disrupt proceedings.”
Stan Reiz KC, defending, said the defendant was willing to come into court and understood it was important not to disrupt proceedings.
He said the situation may change.
Mr Justice Goose said: “If they do I’ll remove him but I will want him to come into court at the point of sentence.”
Rudakubana remained silent and looked at the floor as Deanna Heer KC continued outlining the case.
He looked around the court briefly before dropping his head to his lap.
Before he entered, Justice Goose said: “I understand the defendant has actually been seen again and found to be fit, physically, to come into court for the moment, he continues to indicate that were he to do so he would disrupt proceedings.”
Stan Reiz KC, defending, said the defendant was willing to come into court and understood it was important not to disrupt proceedings.
He said the situation may change.
Mr Justice Goose said: “If they do I’ll remove him but I will want him to come into court at the point of sentence.”
Rudakubana remained silent and looked at the floor as Deanna Heer KC continued outlining the case.
Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC continues to go through the pathological evidence at Liverpool Crown Court.
She said the defendant’s blood-covered knife was recovered from the landing where he was arrested.
From this, two pathologists concluded that “this weapon was capable of causing all the stab wounds inflicted in this case”.
The prosecutor said Rudakubana made no reply to the caution when he was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and then, soon afterwards, on suspicion of murder.
He was assessed by psychiatrists in the cells who found him fit to be detained and interviewed.
But Heer said Rudakubana remained silent when he was interviewed.
She said the defendant’s blood-covered knife was recovered from the landing where he was arrested.
From this, two pathologists concluded that “this weapon was capable of causing all the stab wounds inflicted in this case”.
The prosecutor said Rudakubana made no reply to the caution when he was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and then, soon afterwards, on suspicion of murder.
He was assessed by psychiatrists in the cells who found him fit to be detained and interviewed.
But Heer said Rudakubana remained silent when he was interviewed.
Rudakubana's post-massacre glee
When he was held in police custody, the killer made number of “unsolicited comments” which were recorded on CCTV footage or noted down at the time.
One of them, heard in court earlier, included Rudakubana saying “I’m so glad those kids are dead, it makes me happy”.
The others she read to the court were:
“I don’t care, I’m feeling neutral.”
“It’s a good thing those children are dead.”
“Literally, such a good thing those kids are dead, six-years-old … ”
“I’m so glad the children are dead, so glad,” and “So happy, six-years-old. It’s a good thing they are dead, yeah.”
When he was held in police custody, the killer made number of “unsolicited comments” which were recorded on CCTV footage or noted down at the time.
One of them, heard in court earlier, included Rudakubana saying “I’m so glad those kids are dead, it makes me happy”.
The others she read to the court were:
“I don’t care, I’m feeling neutral.”
“It’s a good thing those children are dead.”
“Literally, such a good thing those kids are dead, six-years-old … ”
“I’m so glad the children are dead, so glad,” and “So happy, six-years-old. It’s a good thing they are dead, yeah.”
Merseyside Police has now asked social media users not to post graphic details the Southport victims’ injuries.
The force said: “We are aware of social media posts online detailing the injuries sustained by the girls who died and those injured in the attack in Southport on July 29 2024.
“The families of the little girls specifically asked that those details not be reported.
“The families of Bebe, Alice and Elsie and of all those affected in the tragedy have faced unimaginable grief and trauma in the months since the attacks, and do not need their suffering compounded by reckless posts on social media.
“Please do not post or share detailed accounts of the injuries they sustained. Thank you.”
The force said: “We are aware of social media posts online detailing the injuries sustained by the girls who died and those injured in the attack in Southport on July 29 2024.
“The families of the little girls specifically asked that those details not be reported.
“The families of Bebe, Alice and Elsie and of all those affected in the tragedy have faced unimaginable grief and trauma in the months since the attacks, and do not need their suffering compounded by reckless posts on social media.
“Please do not post or share detailed accounts of the injuries they sustained. Thank you.”
I will continue to note down that which is shared in court but will refrain from posting specifics about injuries at this specific moment in time unless they become widely available elsewhere.
Police also found an Al-Qaeda training manual on a tablet belonging to the defendant, the court heard. The manual is illegal in the UK.
The prosecutor said a passage referring to assassination and mass murder was of particular relevance.
The prosecutor said: “The manual had been downloaded on three occasions in 2021, meaning that it was already in the defendant’s possession when he purchased the castor beans from which he produced the ricin in early 2022. If that is right, then he clearly knew just how deadly a substance it was before he produced it.
“Furthermore, by the time he went to The Hart Space in 2024, the defendant was in possession of instructions in the manual on how to carry out a knife attack with lethal force.”
The prosecutor said a passage referring to assassination and mass murder was of particular relevance.
The prosecutor said: “The manual had been downloaded on three occasions in 2021, meaning that it was already in the defendant’s possession when he purchased the castor beans from which he produced the ricin in early 2022. If that is right, then he clearly knew just how deadly a substance it was before he produced it.
“Furthermore, by the time he went to The Hart Space in 2024, the defendant was in possession of instructions in the manual on how to carry out a knife attack with lethal force.”
Liverpool Crown Court heard two tablets belonging to Axel Rudakubana contained cached images of knives and machetes from Amazon.
Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC said: “There were also emails regarding Amazon deliveries and enquiries made with online knife vendors.
“Some of the emails enquired whether deliveries could be made in plain packaging and revealed that the defendant had also tried to purchase a knife with a 20cm blade on June 21 2024, but the order was cancelled when he failed to pay.
"He then went on to buy the knife used in this assault.”
Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC said: “There were also emails regarding Amazon deliveries and enquiries made with online knife vendors.
“Some of the emails enquired whether deliveries could be made in plain packaging and revealed that the defendant had also tried to purchase a knife with a 20cm blade on June 21 2024, but the order was cancelled when he failed to pay.
"He then went on to buy the knife used in this assault.”
Officers found violent content on Axel Rudakubana’s devices including violent imagery including dead bodies.
It also contained content that insulted or mocked different religions, including Islam, Judaism and Christianity, Liverpool Crown Court heard.
Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC said there were numerous images relating to different wars and international conflicts, including in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Korea, Iraq and the Balkans.
These included documents called “A concise history of Nazi Germany,” “Death and survival during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda,” and “Examination of punishments dealt to slave rebels in two 18th century British plantation societies”.
Heer said: “The material found on these devices provides, the prosecution suggest, a window into the defendant’s mind at this time. It demonstrates that he was fascinated with violence of an extreme nature, that he had obtained information on killings and how to kill and he had obtained weapons capable of killing.
“The evidence serves to demonstrates that he had planned to stab and the events at Hart Street were premeditated and had been planned by the defendant for several weeks.”
It also contained content that insulted or mocked different religions, including Islam, Judaism and Christianity, Liverpool Crown Court heard.
Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC said there were numerous images relating to different wars and international conflicts, including in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Korea, Iraq and the Balkans.
These included documents called “A concise history of Nazi Germany,” “Death and survival during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda,” and “Examination of punishments dealt to slave rebels in two 18th century British plantation societies”.
Heer said: “The material found on these devices provides, the prosecution suggest, a window into the defendant’s mind at this time. It demonstrates that he was fascinated with violence of an extreme nature, that he had obtained information on killings and how to kill and he had obtained weapons capable of killing.
“The evidence serves to demonstrates that he had planned to stab and the events at Hart Street were premeditated and had been planned by the defendant for several weeks.”
Rudakubana expelled from court AGAIN
Rudakubana has been removed from the dock for a second time after he began to shout.
After sitting quietly for a short period with his head lowered he shouted: “Judge! I feel really ill, I need to be seen by a paramedic.”
When there was no response, Rudakubana shouted: “Judge! Judge! Judge! I need to be seen by a paramedic.”
Mr Justice Goose asked dock officers to remove Rudakubana.
He said: “He has been seen by two teams of paramedics, both of whom agreed he is fit.”
Rudakubana has been removed from the dock for a second time after he began to shout.
After sitting quietly for a short period with his head lowered he shouted: “Judge! I feel really ill, I need to be seen by a paramedic.”
When there was no response, Rudakubana shouted: “Judge! Judge! Judge! I need to be seen by a paramedic.”
Mr Justice Goose asked dock officers to remove Rudakubana.
He said: “He has been seen by two teams of paramedics, both of whom agreed he is fit.”
Rudakubana asked Childline for advice about desire to kill someone.
The prosecutor said that on October 4, 2019, Rudakubana contacted Childline and asked: “What should I do if I want to kill somebody?”
She said: “In the days that followed he explained that he hated someone at school who’d bullied him.
“He felt angry and wanted to kill them. He said he had taken a knife to school but would only use it if the person really annoyed him.”
The prosecutor said that on October 4, 2019, Rudakubana contacted Childline and asked: “What should I do if I want to kill somebody?”
She said: “In the days that followed he explained that he hated someone at school who’d bullied him.
“He felt angry and wanted to kill them. He said he had taken a knife to school but would only use it if the person really annoyed him.”
Rudakubana rwanted to stab someone so TikTok account would be deleted
Liverpool Crown Court heard that following reports of incidents at home, the defendant stopped attending school in May 2021.
Later, in March 2022, a place was found for him at Presfield High School, but he did not attend.
The prosecutor said: “On March 17 2022 he was reported missing. He was found by the police in possession of a small kitchen knife.
"He said that he wanted to stab someone so that he would get into trouble and his Tik Tok account, which contained embarrassing videos that he was unable to delete, would be closed down by the police.
"He said he had also thought about poisoning people, and had tried to make poison for the same reason.”
Liverpool Crown Court heard that following reports of incidents at home, the defendant stopped attending school in May 2021.
Later, in March 2022, a place was found for him at Presfield High School, but he did not attend.
The prosecutor said: “On March 17 2022 he was reported missing. He was found by the police in possession of a small kitchen knife.
"He said that he wanted to stab someone so that he would get into trouble and his Tik Tok account, which contained embarrassing videos that he was unable to delete, would be closed down by the police.
"He said he had also thought about poisoning people, and had tried to make poison for the same reason.”
Prosecutor Deanna Heer said in July 2020 the killer returned to school under two to one supervision.
In February 2021 he was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and in April 2021 he received a formal education and healthcare plan (EHCP).
During this period, three referrals were made to Prevent:
– In November 2019 a referral was made because the defendant had been researching school shootings during an information technology class.
– In February 2021 a referral was made following reports that he had uploaded to Instagram two images of Colonel Gadaffi.
– In April 2021 a referral was made because he had been found researching the London Bridge terror attack.
In February 2021 he was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and in April 2021 he received a formal education and healthcare plan (EHCP).
During this period, three referrals were made to Prevent:
– In November 2019 a referral was made because the defendant had been researching school shootings during an information technology class.
– In February 2021 a referral was made following reports that he had uploaded to Instagram two images of Colonel Gadaffi.
– In April 2021 a referral was made because he had been found researching the London Bridge terror attack.
The prosecution said a referral over Rudakubana's suspicious behaviour was made to the police, who visited him.
The KC said: “To them he confirmed that he had indeed taken a knife to school and added that he thought he would use it if he became angry.
“The school was informed. By this time, the defendant had been temporarily excluded.
“But he has admitted taking a knife to school on about 10 occasions, when he did so the school made his exclusion permanent.”
Heer, the prosecutor, said referrals were made to the Multi-Agency Safeguard Hub (MASH), the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and social services.
She said that on October 17 2019 the defendant was enrolled at The Acorns School, Ormskirk, which is a Pupil Referral Unit.
During his admission meeting, he was asked why he had taken a knife to school. He replied, “To use it”.
The KC said: “To them he confirmed that he had indeed taken a knife to school and added that he thought he would use it if he became angry.
“The school was informed. By this time, the defendant had been temporarily excluded.
“But he has admitted taking a knife to school on about 10 occasions, when he did so the school made his exclusion permanent.”
Heer, the prosecutor, said referrals were made to the Multi-Agency Safeguard Hub (MASH), the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and social services.
She said that on October 17 2019 the defendant was enrolled at The Acorns School, Ormskirk, which is a Pupil Referral Unit.
During his admission meeting, he was asked why he had taken a knife to school. He replied, “To use it”.
The victim impact statements will now be read.
Leanne Lucas - she reads her own statement.
“As a 36-year-old woman, I cannot stay in my own home alone.
“As a 36-year-old woman I cannot go to work.
“As a 36-year-old woman I cannot walk down the street without holding my breath as I bypass a person and then glance back to see if they’ve attempted to stab me.
“As a 36-year-old woman I cannot enter a public place without considering how I will get out in the event of an emergency.
“As a 36-year-old woman I cannot give myself compassion or accept praise, as how can I live knowing I survived when children died.”
“There was a long period of time after the incident where I felt I had no trust in society.
“I am trying to see the goodness in the world, however the badness has been evidentially proven to me to exist, in plain sight, on our doorsteps, in our community.
“You never think this is going to happen to you, I never thought this was going to happen to me and now my mindset has been altered to it could happen to you and it will probably happen to you.
“I feel that I have lost the ability to accept people now as they are.
“I worked with teenagers, I never would have considered that they would hurt me or hurt younger children.”
“As a 36-year-old woman, I cannot stay in my own home alone.
“As a 36-year-old woman I cannot go to work.
“As a 36-year-old woman I cannot walk down the street without holding my breath as I bypass a person and then glance back to see if they’ve attempted to stab me.
“As a 36-year-old woman I cannot enter a public place without considering how I will get out in the event of an emergency.
“As a 36-year-old woman I cannot give myself compassion or accept praise, as how can I live knowing I survived when children died.”
“There was a long period of time after the incident where I felt I had no trust in society.
“I am trying to see the goodness in the world, however the badness has been evidentially proven to me to exist, in plain sight, on our doorsteps, in our community.
“You never think this is going to happen to you, I never thought this was going to happen to me and now my mindset has been altered to it could happen to you and it will probably happen to you.
“I feel that I have lost the ability to accept people now as they are.
“I worked with teenagers, I never would have considered that they would hurt me or hurt younger children.”
Killer tried to carry out a similar attack the week earlier
Evidence suggests that Rudakubana may have tried to carry out a similar attack the week before, the prosecutor said.
On 22 July, the defendant booked a taxi in the name “Simon” to take him to The Range High School.
When it arrived outside his house, the defendant got into the rear seat, wearing a green hooded top with the hood up and a surgical mask. He had a rucksack with him.
Heer continued: “On this occasion, however, it seems that he was spotted by his father. As the car was about to set off, the defendant’s father ran out of the house and pleaded with the driver not to take him.
“There was an argument, but eventually the defendant got out of the car and returned to the house.
“It is unlikely to be a coincidence that this was the last day of term, with students due to leave the school premises at 12.30 for the summer.
“The court may infer that this was an earlier attempt to commit offences similar to those he was to carry out at The Hart Space a week later.”
Evidence suggests that Rudakubana may have tried to carry out a similar attack the week before, the prosecutor said.
On 22 July, the defendant booked a taxi in the name “Simon” to take him to The Range High School.
When it arrived outside his house, the defendant got into the rear seat, wearing a green hooded top with the hood up and a surgical mask. He had a rucksack with him.
Heer continued: “On this occasion, however, it seems that he was spotted by his father. As the car was about to set off, the defendant’s father ran out of the house and pleaded with the driver not to take him.
“There was an argument, but eventually the defendant got out of the car and returned to the house.
“It is unlikely to be a coincidence that this was the last day of term, with students due to leave the school premises at 12.30 for the summer.
“The court may infer that this was an earlier attempt to commit offences similar to those he was to carry out at The Hart Space a week later.”
Lucas concludes her statment:
“The trauma of being both a victim and a witness has been horrendous.
“There are times when I will spiral into trauma and the effect this has had on those close to me is unforgivable.
“The impact this has had on me can be summed up by one word: trauma.
“He targeted us because we were women and girls, vulnerable and easy prey.
“To discover that he had always set out to hurt the vulnerable is beyond comprehensible.
“For Alice, Elsie, Bebe… and the surviving girls, I’m surviving for you.
“The trauma of being both a victim and a witness has been horrendous.
“There are times when I will spiral into trauma and the effect this has had on those close to me is unforgivable.
“The impact this has had on me can be summed up by one word: trauma.
“He targeted us because we were women and girls, vulnerable and easy prey.
“To discover that he had always set out to hurt the vulnerable is beyond comprehensible.
“For Alice, Elsie, Bebe… and the surviving girls, I’m surviving for you.
Father of a heroic nine-year old victim
His daughter was stabbed but survived. He reads out a victim impact statement on behalf of her family.
He said he asked his daughter to explain the impact the events have had on her.
Reading her words, he said: “It has been very hard to deal with what happened to me at Hart Space. I struggle with my emotions and I have scars that I know will be with me forever, but I want to look forward.
“When people in school asked me ‘Do you wish you weren’t there that day?’ I said that, in some ways, I wish I wasn’t, but also, if I wasn’t there, someone else would have been stabbed and they could have died, so I’m glad I might have stopped someone else getting hurt’.”
Her father continued: “These are not the words that any little girl, who just liked yoga and making bracelets, should ever need to say. Her words both horrify us and make us immeasurably proud.
“Our daughter is strong. Our daughter is positive. Our daughter is brave. Our daughter is beautiful.
“Our daughter loves and is loved. Our daughter sees the best in everyone.
“Our daughter is everything that Axel Rudakabana is not."
His daughter was stabbed but survived. He reads out a victim impact statement on behalf of her family.
He said he asked his daughter to explain the impact the events have had on her.
Reading her words, he said: “It has been very hard to deal with what happened to me at Hart Space. I struggle with my emotions and I have scars that I know will be with me forever, but I want to look forward.
“When people in school asked me ‘Do you wish you weren’t there that day?’ I said that, in some ways, I wish I wasn’t, but also, if I wasn’t there, someone else would have been stabbed and they could have died, so I’m glad I might have stopped someone else getting hurt’.”
Her father continued: “These are not the words that any little girl, who just liked yoga and making bracelets, should ever need to say. Her words both horrify us and make us immeasurably proud.
“Our daughter is strong. Our daughter is positive. Our daughter is brave. Our daughter is beautiful.
“Our daughter loves and is loved. Our daughter sees the best in everyone.
“Our daughter is everything that Axel Rudakabana is not."
Now a victim impact statement is being read out by a selfless 14-year-old girl who survived the attack.
She speaks to the court via video link:
“The beginning of my nightmare started when I saw you. I thought you were playing a joke. I saw you in your green hoody and face mask. The thing I remember most about you is your eyes. You didn’t look human, you looked possessed.
“I watched you stab someone and then I saw you coming for me. It was like slow motion. You stabbed me in the arm and instinctively I turned and that’s when you continued to stab me in the back although I didn’t feel it at the time. All I could hear was the screams.
“I was so scared of what you were doing and I was in a blind panic. I ran out onto the landing and there was a group of girls huddled and I began just screaming for the girls to get down the stairs.
“I remember I was physically pushing them down the stairs to get them out of the building and get away from you. I knew I was running for my life. I needed to try to get everyone out and to safety – that was my first thought.”
Describing the aftermath of the attack, the girl became emotional as she said: “Physically I’ve healed but my scars remain as a reminder of what you did to me, to us all..
“No sane person could do that. It’s sickening what you did, going in there knowing you’re going into a room full of defenceless children.
“Give me a reason for what you did. Arming yourself with a weapon and stabbing children. I hope you spend the rest of your like knowing we think you’re a coward.”
She speaks to the court via video link:
“The beginning of my nightmare started when I saw you. I thought you were playing a joke. I saw you in your green hoody and face mask. The thing I remember most about you is your eyes. You didn’t look human, you looked possessed.
“I watched you stab someone and then I saw you coming for me. It was like slow motion. You stabbed me in the arm and instinctively I turned and that’s when you continued to stab me in the back although I didn’t feel it at the time. All I could hear was the screams.
“I was so scared of what you were doing and I was in a blind panic. I ran out onto the landing and there was a group of girls huddled and I began just screaming for the girls to get down the stairs.
“I remember I was physically pushing them down the stairs to get them out of the building and get away from you. I knew I was running for my life. I needed to try to get everyone out and to safety – that was my first thought.”
Describing the aftermath of the attack, the girl became emotional as she said: “Physically I’ve healed but my scars remain as a reminder of what you did to me, to us all..
“No sane person could do that. It’s sickening what you did, going in there knowing you’re going into a room full of defenceless children.
“Give me a reason for what you did. Arming yourself with a weapon and stabbing children. I hope you spend the rest of your like knowing we think you’re a coward.”
A statement from Alice's parents read by the prosecutors:
“We were so lucky and privileged to have her.
“Every day felt like a gift.
“Alice was a beautiful girl, perfect in every day – she loved her school, her friends, music, dance, colourful pens and friendship bracelets.
“She loved Taylor Swift, Billy Eilish and Sabrina Carpenter.”
Alice woke up on the day she died excited about the dance workshop and a "perfect plan for a perfect day", playing at a friend’s in the pool later.
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.”
The Aguiars 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.”
“We were so lucky and privileged to have her.
“Every day felt like a gift.
“Alice was a beautiful girl, perfect in every day – she loved her school, her friends, music, dance, colourful pens and friendship bracelets.
“She loved Taylor Swift, Billy Eilish and Sabrina Carpenter.”
Alice woke up on the day she died excited about the dance workshop and a "perfect plan for a perfect day", playing at a friend’s in the pool later.
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.”
The Aguiars 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.”
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.”
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.”
Alice's parents continue:
"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.”
"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.”
The victim impact statement of Jenny Stancombe, the mother of murdered 7-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, was read by the prosecutor.
The statement started by saying the family had lost their “best friend” through an act of “pure evil”.
Elsie's mother continued: “We are not going to stand here and list everything you have taken away from us, because we refuse to give you the satisfaction of hearing it.
“We will not let you know anything about her because you don’t deserve to know the extraordinary person she was.
“You know what you have done and we hope the weight of that knowledge haunts you every day."
The mother of Elsie Dot Stancombe branded Rudakubana's actions “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.
“What you did was not only cruel and pure evil; it was the act of a coward.
“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."
Addressing the presiding judge, the mother of Elsie Dot Stancombe said: “To you Justice Goose; He took our daughter, her life, her future and everything she could have been.
“There is no greater loss and no greater pain. His actions have left us with a lifetime of grief and it is only right that he faces the same.
“We hope he uses his time in prison to reflect on the gravity of what he has done, though if we go from his actions and behaviour during this process we have little faith that he will ever feel the remorse he should.
“There is nothing that can undo the damage he has caused but knowing that he will never be free to cause any harm to vulnerable children again would give us a small measure of justice.
“Perhaps he will have the opportunity to contemplate the fear and terror he inflicted upon those girls, and we sincerely want the consequences to reflect the irreparable damage he has inflicted.”
The statement started by saying the family had lost their “best friend” through an act of “pure evil”.
Elsie's mother continued: “We are not going to stand here and list everything you have taken away from us, because we refuse to give you the satisfaction of hearing it.
“We will not let you know anything about her because you don’t deserve to know the extraordinary person she was.
“You know what you have done and we hope the weight of that knowledge haunts you every day."
The mother of Elsie Dot Stancombe branded Rudakubana's actions “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.
“What you did was not only cruel and pure evil; it was the act of a coward.
“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."
Addressing the presiding judge, the mother of Elsie Dot Stancombe said: “To you Justice Goose; He took our daughter, her life, her future and everything she could have been.
“There is no greater loss and no greater pain. His actions have left us with a lifetime of grief and it is only right that he faces the same.
“We hope he uses his time in prison to reflect on the gravity of what he has done, though if we go from his actions and behaviour during this process we have little faith that he will ever feel the remorse he should.
“There is nothing that can undo the damage he has caused but knowing that he will never be free to cause any harm to vulnerable children again would give us a small measure of justice.
“Perhaps he will have the opportunity to contemplate the fear and terror he inflicted upon those girls, and we sincerely want the consequences to reflect the irreparable damage he has inflicted.”
Now is the statement of the parents of another one of the injured by courageous girls.
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.”
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.”
The parents of one of the injured children said in a statement that Rudakubana had shown no remorse.
They said: “This has always been about power and control. This person has abused his power as an adult in the most extreme of ways – to exert planned, sustained and unimaginable horror over the most powerless in our society, our children.”
The couple added: “He will not win though. He will not gain the notoriety he so desperately craves. He will not be remembered.
“When we think of Southport, we will think of the girls. Their bravery. Their strength.”
They said: “This has always been about power and control. This person has abused his power as an adult in the most extreme of ways – to exert planned, sustained and unimaginable horror over the most powerless in our society, our children.”
The couple added: “He will not win though. He will not gain the notoriety he so desperately craves. He will not be remembered.
“When we think of Southport, we will think of the girls. Their bravery. Their strength.”
A victim statement is now being read from the first child Rudakubana stabbed in the 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."
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."
The brave 10-year-old victim continues reading her impact statement to the court.
“I was holding my mum’s hand and I just felt heavy and sick. My entire body was in pain.
“I was in hospital for 12 days and at night I kept waking up with nightmares. I kept thinking someone would get into my room.”
The child had to have her spleen removed and skin grafts.
She continued: “I have a scar on my tummy and two scars on my back, and one on my side from the attack and the treatment.
“If I see anyone who looks like him or wearing a green top, I feel worried and scared.
“I still have nightmares once or twice a week where I replay what happened and wake up and feel a bit on edge.
“I think about all the other children that were there and I feel guilty that I wasn’t able to help the children that died and I think, ‘Was there anything I could have done to help them?’”
“I was holding my mum’s hand and I just felt heavy and sick. My entire body was in pain.
“I was in hospital for 12 days and at night I kept waking up with nightmares. I kept thinking someone would get into my room.”
The child had to have her spleen removed and skin grafts.
She continued: “I have a scar on my tummy and two scars on my back, and one on my side from the attack and the treatment.
“If I see anyone who looks like him or wearing a green top, I feel worried and scared.
“I still have nightmares once or twice a week where I replay what happened and wake up and feel a bit on edge.
“I think about all the other children that were there and I feel guilty that I wasn’t able to help the children that died and I think, ‘Was there anything I could have done to help them?’”
The mother of one of the injured girls says in her statement that she got her daughter tickets for the Taylor Swift themed event after she failed to get tickets for the US star’s concert in Liverpool.
The woman described to the court how she dropped her daughter off at The Hart Space and spotted a black male, wearing a hoodie and a face mask.
She said: “Something about the way he was acting unnerved me.”
The woman said: “Within a few minutes, I heard screaming” and said she saw girls running down the street, including her daughter. She said her daughter had blood on her legs which she first thought was make-up.
She said her daughter was “struggling to breathe and she didn’t want to die”.
The woman described how doctors saved her daughter’s life but had to remove her spleen.
She said: “At one point I thought if she died, I couldn’t live without her. I thought she would blame me for taking her to the event.”
The woman described to the court how she dropped her daughter off at The Hart Space and spotted a black male, wearing a hoodie and a face mask.
She said: “Something about the way he was acting unnerved me.”
The woman said: “Within a few minutes, I heard screaming” and said she saw girls running down the street, including her daughter. She said her daughter had blood on her legs which she first thought was make-up.
She said her daughter was “struggling to breathe and she didn’t want to die”.
The woman described how doctors saved her daughter’s life but had to remove her spleen.
She said: “At one point I thought if she died, I couldn’t live without her. I thought she would blame me for taking her to the event.”
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.
“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.
As a result of the attack, the woman told the court that 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.”
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.
“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.
As a result of the attack, the woman told the court that 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.”
The victim impact statements have concluded.
It is now the turn if the defence to speak.
It is now the turn if the defence to speak.
'For offences of such wickedness, the mitigation... is limited'
The defence will now present the mitigating circumstances for the judge to consider in sentencing.
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.”
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.”
The defence will now present the mitigating circumstances for the judge to consider in sentencing.
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.”
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.”
Sentencing Rudakubana in his absence on Thursday, Mr Justice Goose said: “During the sentence hearing, Axel Rudakubana was determined to disrupt the proceedings so he would not have to face the victims of his crimes and face justice.”
“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.”
“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.”
The judge continues. "He wanted to try and carry out mass murder of innocent happy and young girls.
"I believe he would have killed all 26 children if he could, and any adult who got in his way.
"Many who have heard the evidence […] and seen the CCTV recordings might describe what he did as evil, who could dispute it? but in any view, it was at least the most extreme, shocking crime."
"I believe he would have killed all 26 children if he could, and any adult who got in his way.
"Many who have heard the evidence […] and seen the CCTV recordings might describe what he did as evil, who could dispute it? but in any view, it was at least the most extreme, shocking crime."
On the victim impact statements, the judge said: "They are all deeply moving. The harm that Rudakubana has caused to each family, each child and to the community has been profound and permanent.
"For the families of Bebe, Elsie and Alice, they will never recover from what happened to their daughter."
He continued: "In just under 15 minutes, he murdered three children, attempted to murder eight children, and three adults.
"When police arrived, he was standing over Bebe King, holding a knife.
"While Rudakubana did not say anything in his police interviews, he did make unsolicited comments that are deeply disturbing."
"For the families of Bebe, Elsie and Alice, they will never recover from what happened to their daughter."
He continued: "In just under 15 minutes, he murdered three children, attempted to murder eight children, and three adults.
"When police arrived, he was standing over Bebe King, holding a knife.
"While Rudakubana did not say anything in his police interviews, he did make unsolicited comments that are deeply disturbing."
The judge dubbed the 29 July attacks "a mass killing."
"He saw the publicity for a children’s party and decided to kill as many as he could, targeting young children.
"In time, he was highly likely to use the ricin he had produced.
"It is equivalent in seriousness to terrorist murders.
"What he did has caused such shock and revulsion to the whole nation that it must be viewed as the extreme level of crime."
"He saw the publicity for a children’s party and decided to kill as many as he could, targeting young children.
"In time, he was highly likely to use the ricin he had produced.
"It is equivalent in seriousness to terrorist murders.
"What he did has caused such shock and revulsion to the whole nation that it must be viewed as the extreme level of crime."
Rudakubana sentenced to 'custody for life'
For the murders of Bebe, Alice and Elsie, the judge announces: "For the offence of murder, the sentence must be custody for life.
"The minimum term before parole is 27 years. Should he be released, and it is likely he will never be, he will remain on licence for the rest of his life."
For the murders of Bebe, Alice and Elsie, the judge announces: "For the offence of murder, the sentence must be custody for life.
"The minimum term before parole is 27 years. Should he be released, and it is likely he will never be, he will remain on licence for the rest of his life."
Rudakubana sentenced to 52 years in jail after receiving 13 life sentences
Southport killer Axel Rudakubana will serve a minimum of 52 years in jail after receiving 13 sentences of custody for life.
Delivering the sentencing in Rudakubana's absence, Mr Justice Goose said it was unlikely he would ever be released from prison.
Southport killer Axel Rudakubana will serve a minimum of 52 years in jail after receiving 13 sentences of custody for life.
Delivering the sentencing in Rudakubana's absence, Mr Justice Goose said it was unlikely he would ever be released from prison.
Please, if you are able, support the victims by donating to the the 'Southport Strong Together Appeal'
justgiving.com/campaign/south…
justgiving.com/campaign/south…
This will be the end of the thread. I will be on GB News from 6PM with @MichelleDewbs to cover today's devastating declarations.
I must give up significant praise to @the__chez for her clear and conscience coverage, along with the court reporters at @LivEchonews and the rest of my colleagues.
Without their coverage, I would not have been able to create this thread today or cover the hearings over the last few months.
They deserve all the credit in this.
Thank you, everyone.
I must give up significant praise to @the__chez for her clear and conscience coverage, along with the court reporters at @LivEchonews and the rest of my colleagues.
Without their coverage, I would not have been able to create this thread today or cover the hearings over the last few months.
They deserve all the credit in this.
Thank you, everyone.
My coverage of events in the days ahead will be able to be found on Substack
charliebentleyastor.substack.com
charliebentleyastor.substack.com
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