Teen Who Killed Three Girls at Taylor Swift-Themed Dance Class Sentenced to Over 50 Years
Axel Rudakubana, 17 at the time of the attack, fatally stabbed three young girls and wounded 10 others in Southport, England.
LONDON — A teenager who carried out a brutal stabbing attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England has been sentenced to more than 50 years in prison for what a judge described as an “extreme, shocking, and exceptionally serious crime.”
Judge Julian Goose ruled that 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana must serve at least 52 years, minus six months already spent in custody, before being eligible for parole. Due to his age at the time of the crime, the judge could not impose a life sentence without parole but stated, “it is likely he will never be released.”
Rudakubana was 17 when he stormed into a children’s dance class in the seaside town of Southport in July, fatally stabbing Alice Da Silva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6. He also injured eight other girls, aged 7 to 13, as well as their teacher Leanne Lucas and John Hayes, a local businessman who attempted to intervene.
The horrifying attack stunned the nation and led to public outcry and government scrutiny. Authorities have since launched an inquiry into systemic failures, as Rudakubana had been previously flagged for his disturbing behavior.
Disruption in the Courtroom
Facing charges of three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder, and additional offenses related to possessing a knife, ricin poison, and extremist materials, Rudakubana unexpectedly pleaded guilty to all charges on Monday.
However, he was removed from court on Thursday after disrupting the hearing. Wearing a gray prison tracksuit, he shouted that he felt ill and demanded medical attention. When he refused to stay quiet, Judge Goose ordered him to be taken out.
As Rudakubana was escorted away, someone in the courtroom yelled, “Coward!” The sentencing proceeded without him.
A Deadly Attack on a Summer Afternoon
Prosecutor Deanna Heer recounted the tragic events of that first day of summer vacation, when 26 young girls gathered to make bracelets and sing along to Taylor Swift songs at the Hart Space dance venue.
Surveillance footage showed Rudakubana arriving in a taxi, entering the building, and immediately attacking. Terrified children ran for their lives, some covered in blood. One girl managed to reach the doorway but was dragged back inside and stabbed 32 times—she miraculously survived.
Gasps and sobs filled the courtroom as videos of the attack were played.
Two of the young victims suffered gruesome injuries. One had 122 stab wounds, while another had 85. Prosecutors described the injuries as “sadistic in nature.”
A History of Violent Obsessions
Investigators revealed that Rudakubana had a long-standing fascination with violence, mass murder, and genocide.
“His only purpose was to kill,” prosecutor Heer said, emphasizing that he deliberately targeted the most vulnerable members of society.
Following his arrest, Rudakubana reportedly showed no remorse, telling officers: “It’s a good thing those children are dead. I’m so glad. I’m so happy.”
Missed Warning Signs: A Systemic Failure
Authorities had been aware of Rudakubana’s violent tendencies for years:
In 2019, at age 13, he called a children’s advice line, asking, “What should I do if I want to kill somebody?”
He later brought a knife to school, claiming he wanted to kill a bully.
Months later, he attacked a classmate with a hockey stick and was convicted of assault.
Between ages 13 and 14, he was referred three times to the government’s anti-extremism program, Prevent, after researching school shootings, dictators, and terror attacks.
Despite these warnings, authorities failed to recognize the escalating danger.
Terrorism or Mass Murder?
Although Rudakubana possessed extremist materials, including an al-Qaida manual, prosecutors determined that his crimes did not meet the legal definition of terrorism.
“His purpose was mass murder—not for any political or religious cause, but simply as an end in itself,” Heer explained.
However, Prime Minister Keir Starmer suggested that current terrorism laws may need to be revised, as “lone actors with mixed motivations” are an emerging threat.
Victims’ Families Share Heartbreaking Statements
During sentencing, relatives of the victims delivered emotional statements, describing their unimaginable grief.
Teacher Leanne Lucas, 36, said the attack had traumatized her for life.
“I cannot give myself compassion or accept praise, as how can I live knowing I survived when children died?” she said.
A 14-year-old survivor told the court:
“We will all have to live with the mental pain from that day forever.”
The parents of Alice Da Silva Aguiar shared their devastation:
“We used to cook for three. Now we only cook for two. It doesn’t seem right.”
“Alice was our purpose for living, so what do we do now?”
A Nation Demands Change
The tragedy has ignited debates about whether authorities are doing enough to prevent violent individuals from escalating to mass murder.
A £770,000 independent review has been commissioned to examine government failures and propose reforms.
As grieving families seek justice, the case serves as a chilling reminder of the deadly consequences of ignoring warning signs.