Official government announcements and policy changes

Axel Rudakubana Sentenced for July 29 Southport Dance Class Murders of Three Girls, Possession of Ricin and Al-Qaeda Manual

Jan 23, 2025, 12:01 PM

Axel Rudakubana, an 18-year-old from Banks, Lancashire, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court for the murder of three young girls—Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, Bebe King, 6, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7—during a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on July 29 last year. Rudakubana used a 20cm knife purchased from Amazon and also pleaded guilty to ten counts of attempted murder, as well as charges related to the possession of ricin and an Al-Qaeda training manual. The sentencing was disrupted multiple times as Rudakubana claimed to be ill, shouting from the dock and being removed from the courtroom twice. The attack led to widespread riots across the UK fueled by misinformation about the attacker's identity. Rudakubana's history of violence and obsession with death had been noted by authorities, including three referrals to the Prevent counter-extremism program, which failed to intervene effectively. The government has announced a public inquiry into the incident, focusing on the missed opportunities to prevent the tragedy and the broader issue of youth violence and extremism.