Teen who killed girls at Taylor Swift-themed dance disrupts sentencing
18-year-old Axel Rudakubana was present at Liverpool Crown Court in north-west England for his sentencing. Clad in a grey prison tracksuit, he sat with his head bowed as the judge prepared to give the verdict for the July 29 incident. This attack had a profound impact on the seaside town of Southport, causing widespread shock throughout the country and triggering both civil unrest and introspection.

During the court proceedings, Rudakubana interrupted the prosecutors by stating from the dock that he was feeling unwell and requested to see a paramedic.

A court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook shows 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, centre, covering his face as he appeared in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court in Liverpool in August.(Merseyside Police via AP)

In the years before the attack he had been reported to multiple authorities over his violent interests and actions.

According to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Rudakubana had a history of violent behavior, including an assault on another child at school. He had been in contact with children’s social services, mental health support, and law enforcement, with police responding to his home five times between 2019 and 2022 due to his conduct.

He was referred three times to the government’s anti-extremism program, Prevent, when he was 13 and 14.

All of the agencies failed to spot the danger he posed.

The government has labeled this case as a wake-up call. Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the need for “fundamental change” in how the state safeguards its people. Consequently, a public inquiry has been announced to investigate the system failures that enabled Rudakubana to perpetrate the attack using a knife acquired from Amazon.

He said laws might need updating to combat a “new threat” from violent individuals whose mix of motivations test the traditional definition of terrorism, “acts of extreme violence carried out by loners, misfits, young men in their bedrooms”.

The Crown Prosecution Service has defended the decision not to disclose details before Rudakubana went to court, saying “releasing that information earlier would have put the trial at risk.”

UK contempt of court laws limit what can be reported before trial, in the interests of preventing jury bias.

You May Also Like
Police execute search warrant at one Sydney nurse's home

Police carry out search warrant at residence of a nurse in Sydney

Police have searched the home of one of the two Sydney nurses…
Canada's 6633 Arctic Ultra: Aaron Cook has pushed his body to extreme limits and is no stranger to endurance races.

“Aaron: Conquering the World’s Toughest Footrace by Dragging a Sled 620km in -50 Degrees”

The 6633 Arctic Ultra in Canada is known as the toughest, windiest,…
Kayla Jade, 30, a popular adult star who lives in Australia, shared how she uses a sponge with a client when she is on her period

Adult film actress shares her struggles with managing her period while working with clients

A popular adult star has detailed the grim realities of dealing with…
Questions over Victoria Police Commissioner's contract after no confidence vote

Doubts raised about Victoria Police Commissioner’s contract following no confidence vote

According to reports, there will be no renewal of Victoria Police Commissioner…
A video (pictured) posted on Fallow Restaurant in London's TikTok page showed a top tip for creating the perfect poached egg

Top chef shares the secret for perfect poached eggs by adding a single ingredient to water

For many people it’s the epitome of the ultimate brunch – a…
National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy told reporters that the recording from the Black Hawk helicopter cockpit suggested an incomplete radio transmission may have left the crew without understanding how it should shift position just before the January 29 crash, in which all 67 aboard the two aircraft were killed.

Investigators suggest that the helicopter in the DC crash may have missed an important instruction.

An Army helicopter and an American Airlines jet collided in midair near…