Axel Rudakubana, an 18-year-old from Southport, has pleaded guilty to the murders 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 on July 29 of last year. The attack, which also left 10 others injured, was described as a “meticulously planned rampage.”
Rudakubana, who had been preparing for trial, unexpectedly entered guilty pleas to all charges, including three counts of murder, 10 of attempted murder, and two terror-related offenses, just before the trial at Liverpool Crown Court was set to begin. The victims’ families were not present at the court for the proceedings, and the judge expressed his sympathy to them, acknowledging the unexpected nature of the plea change.
The attack occurred at the Hart Centre in Southport during a children’s dance workshop, where Rudakubana, who was 17 at the time, indiscriminately stabbed the young victims and several others, including yoga instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes. Despite the discovery of an al-Qaeda training manual and the toxin ricin in his possession, Merseyside Police stated that the attack was not declared a terrorist incident. Rudakubana had reportedly been referred to the government’s counter-terrorism Prevent programme multiple times prior to the attack due to his violent tendencies.
Following the attacks, the UK was rocked by misinformation spread online, which led to violent riots in several cities. False claims that Rudakubana was an asylum seeker fueled tensions, resulting in the arrest of 1,200 people, with more than 400 facing charges.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the attack a “moment of trauma for the nation” and stressed the need for answers regarding the state’s failure to protect the children. The families of the victims have been described as heartbroken, with tributes pouring in for Alice, Bebe, and Elsie Dot, who were remembered as kind, joyful, and extraordinary children.
Rudakubana, who had a history of violent behavior, including an earlier school attack with a hockey stick, will be sentenced this Thursday, though he cannot face a whole-life term due to his age. The case has prompted calls for a public inquiry, with questions about how such a tragedy could have been prevented.
