Culture Society, Identity and Belonging
The 18-year-old admitted to the murder of Alice da Silva Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe last summer
Axel Rudakubana has pleaded guilty to the murder of three girls and the attempted murder of 10 others in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport last July.
The 18-year-old admitted to the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, on the first day of his trial.
He also admitted attempting to kill eight other children and two adults, producing ricin and possessing an al-Qaeda training manual – a terrorism offence.
The rampage was the worst targeted attack on children in Britain since the Dunblane massacre in 1996.
The killings sparked violent unrest across the country last summer after right-wing figures falsely claimed the assailant was a Muslim asylum seeker called Ali Al-Shakati. Rudakubana was born in Wales to Christian parents.
The BBC and the Guardian both reported that Rudakubana had been referred to the government’s counter-terrorism programme, Prevent, several times before the attack.
According to the Guardian, one of the Prevent referrals was triggered when Rudakubana, then 13, tried to find information on school shootings on a school computer.
He reportedly sought out images of graphic violence and was fascinated by genocides, including the 1994 genocide in Rwanda – where his parents originated.
Although his behaviour was concerning, he was deemed unfit for the Prevent scheme as he did not pose a terrorism risk.
After the attack police discovered an al-Qaeda training manual and ricin, a biological toxin, at Rudakubana’s home.
The discovery of the manual led to a charge under the Terrorism Act 2000, but the attack itself wasn’t labelled terrorism as no clear motive has been established.
Speaking outside the court, Ursula Doyle from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Today, our thoughts are with all those whose lives were altered by what happened on that day.
“Most of all, we think of Elsie, Bebe, and Alice – the three beautiful young girls whose lives were cut short – and wish strength and courage to the families who loved and cherished them.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a public inquiry into how the state “failed to protect” the three girls killed in the attack.
Rudakubana will be sentenced on Thursday.