Southport stabbings were 'savage and senseless' as mugshot of attacker Axel Rudakubana released

20 January 2025, 12:02 | Updated: 20 January 2025, 16:28

Police have issued a mugshot of Southport attacker Axel Rudakubana after he admitted murdering three girls last July.

Axel Rudakubana, 18, entered the plea at the start of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court and also admitted attempting to murder 10 other people.

Reacting outside the court Ursula Doyle, deputy chief crown prosecutor for Mersey-Cheshire, described the attack as "unspeakable" adding it "has left an enduring mark on our community, and the nation, for its savagery and senselessness".

She went on to call the stabbings a "meticulously planned rampage" from a "young man with a sickening and sustained interest in death and violence". Ms Doyle added Rudakubana "showed no signs of remorse".

Mr Justice Goose told Rudakubana, who was 17 at the time of the attacks, that it was "inevitable the sentence to be imposed upon you will mean a life sentence".

He also admitted additional charges related to possessing the poison ricin and having an al Qaeda manual.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the news that the "the vile and sick Southport killer" has been convicted but said: "Britain will rightly demand answers."

He said "there are grave questions to answer as to how the state failed in its ultimate duty to protect these young girls", adding: "We will leave no stone unturned in that pursuit."

Rudakubana pleaded guilty to stabbing Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, who were at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event.

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The attacks on 29 July led to a week of rioting across parts of England and Northern Ireland after he was falsely identified as an asylum seeker. He was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents before moving near Southport in 2013.

Mr Justice Goose said Rudakubana will be sentenced on Thursday.

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The court previously heard he had no obvious evidence of a mental health disorder.

At all his court appearances, Rudakubana held his sweatshirt over his face and refused to speak.

Prosecutors have not said what they believe led Rudakubana to commit the atrocities, just days away from his 18th birthday.

(c) Sky News 2025: Southport stabbings were 'savage and senseless' as mugshot of attacker Axel Rudakubana released