Southport stabber who killed three girls at Taylor Swift-themed dance class handed minimum 52-year sentence

A teenage who carried out a stabbing spree at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, killing three girls, has been handed a minimum life term of 52 years.

Axel Rudakubana admitted murdering the three girls – Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven – earlier this week at Liverpool Crown Court.

The 18-year-old also admitted the attempted murder of eight other children, class instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes at the Hart Space dance class shortly before midday on July 29 last year.

He was sentenced on Thursday at Liverpool Crown Court by Justice Goose, following moving victim impact statements read out in court.

Justice Goose said: “Had [Rudakubana] been 18, I make it clear I would have been compelled to impose on him life imprisonment without a minimum term.

“However, the law does not permit such a sentence for those offenders who are under 18 when they offend.”

Instead he was handed a minimum term of 52 years and it is likely he will never be released.

Passing sentence, Mr Justice Goose said: “He will serve almost the whole of his life in custody. I consider it likely he will never be released and he will be in custody for all of his life.”

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.”