UK Teenager Admits to Killing Three Girls in Southport Knife Attack
The brutal crime shocked the nation and sparked violent riots across the UK in August, fueled by misinformation.
A British teenager has admitted to murdering three young girls in a knife attack in Southport, northern England, in July 2024, a crime that horrified the nation and led to violent riots across the country.
Axel Rudakubana, 18, changed his plea from not guilty to guilty at the start of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday. He pleaded guilty to the murders of Bebe King, 6; Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7; and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, who were attending a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport on July 29.
The attack also left ten others injured, including eight children, in one of the UK's most devastating mass stabbings in recent years. In addition to the murder charges, Rudakubana pleaded guilty to ten counts of attempted murder and charges related to the production of ricin, a deadly poison, and the possession of an al-Qaeda training manual.
Judge Julian Goose confirmed that Rudakubana would be sentenced on Thursday, with a life sentence expected. The teenager, who appeared in court wearing a grey tracksuit and surgical mask, refused to stand and only spoke to say “guilty” when prompted.
Rudakubana had initially pleaded not guilty in December, and the case was set to proceed to a four-week trial. Born in Wales to Rwandan parents, Rudakubana lived in Banks, a village northeast of Southport.
Following the murders, widespread unrest erupted in Southport after false reports circulated on social media claiming the suspect was a Muslim migrant. The violence spread to other parts of the UK, with mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers being attacked. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the riots, attributing them to far-right extremism. Over 1,500 arrests were made.
Interior Minister Yvette Cooper expressed sympathy for the families of the victims, acknowledging the “deeply traumatic and distressing” time they face. She emphasized the importance of allowing the legal process to unfold to ensure that justice is served.