Teenager Sentenced to Life for Taylor Swift-Themed Dance Class Massacre
Axel Rudakubana, an 18-year-old from Lancashire, has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 52 years for the “sadistic” and “ferocious” murders of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport. The victims, Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, were killed in the attack on 29 July 2024, which also left eight other children and two adults seriously injured. The attack, described by the judge as “the most extreme, shocking and serious crime,” took place at the Hart Space community centre, where 26 children were gathered for a summer holiday dance workshop.
Rudakubana, who was 17 at the time of the attack, pleaded guilty to three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder, and additional charges including possession of a knife, the poison ricin, and an al-Qaeda training manual. Despite his age, the judge stated that Rudakubana would likely never be released from prison, as he had shown “no remorse” and had a “settled determination” to carry out mass murder. The court heard that Rudakubana had a longstanding obsession with violence and had been referred to the government’s Prevent counter-terrorism programme multiple times before the attack.
The families of the victims expressed their grief and anger during the sentencing. Bebe King’s mother, Lauren King, described her daughter as “full of joy, light, and love,” while Alice da Silva Aguiar’s parents said her death had “shattered our souls.” Elsie Dot Stancombe’s mother, Jenni Stancombe, called Rudakubana a “coward” and said he had targeted the most vulnerable. The court also heard from survivors, including yoga teacher Leanne Lucas, who was injured during the attack and described the trauma of witnessing the violence.
The attack has prompted a public inquiry into how authorities failed to prevent the tragedy, given Rudakubana’s history of violent behaviour and multiple referrals to Prevent. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the incident as an “atrocity” and pledged to deliver change to prevent such a tragedy from happening again. The case has left the Southport community and the nation in shock, with calls for reforms to better protect children and address the failures that allowed Rudakubana to carry out his horrific crimes.
Southport attacker Axel Rudakubana jailed for 52 years for murder of three girls
Eighteen-year-old had pleaded guilty to murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe and 10 charges of attempted murder
www.theguardian.com
'It shattered our souls': Southport victim's parents describe 'horror movie' of losing daughter
Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were murdered in an attack at a Taylor Swift-themed class. Victim impact
news.sky.com
Teen who killed 3 girls at Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England sentenced to over 50 years
Axel Rudakubana was 17 when he attacked the children in the seaside town of Southport in July, killing Alice Da Silva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe,
www.nbcnews.com
FFamilies make heartbreaking plea after Axel Rudakubana sentenced
The families of Bebe, Elsie and Alice all issued heartbreaking pleas on how they want their daughters to be remembered
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
Man Who Fatally Stabbed 3 Children at Taylor Swift-Themed Event Is Sentenced to Life in Prison
Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, were killed in the July 2024 attack in Southport, England.
people.com
Axel Rudakubana: 'Evil' Southport killer jailed for minimum 52 years
Axel Rudakubana is handed a life sentence for killing three girls and attacking 10 other people.
www.bbc.com
Southport trial: Knife attacker pleads guilty to murdering three girls
Axel Rudakubana, 18, admits murdering three girls at a dance class in Southport last July.
www.bbc.co.uk