UK Teen Sentenced To 50 Years In Prison For Killing 3 Girls At Children’s Dance Class

<p>The teen who stabbed three children to death during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England was sentenced to 52 years in prison, in what the judge has described as “the most extreme, shocking and exceptionally serious crime.”</p>
<p>According to the Associated Press (AP), Judge Julian Goose said 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana couldn&rsquo;t hand him a life sentence without parole as Rudakubana was under 18 when he carried out the crime. However, Rudakubana will have to serve 52 years in prison minus the time he spent in custody, before he is considered for parole. Judge Goose said that it is likely he would never be released.</p>
<p>In July 2024, Rudakubana attacked children in the seaside town of Southport, he killed Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, Bebe King, 6, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7. Eight other children between the ages of 7 and 13 were injured in the attack, along with teacher Leanne Lucas and John Hayes.</p>
<p>As per AP, Rudakubana had been referred to the authorities multiple times over his obsession with violence. He faced three counts of murder, 10 of attempted murder and additional charges of possessing a knife, the poison ricin and an al-Qaeda manual. On Monday, he unexpectedly, changed his plea to guilty on all charges.</p>
<p>However, he wasn&rsquo;t present in court when the sentence was passed on Thursday. Earlier that day, he was brought into the dock at Liverpool Crown Court in northwest England. As prosecutors began presenting the evidence, Rudakubana interrupted by shouting that he felt ill and wanted a paramedic. Judge Goose ordered his removal from the courtroom.</p>
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<p>Prosecutor Deanna Heer said that the children were attacked while they were making bracelets and singing along to Taylor Swift&rsquo;s songs. When Rudakubana, armed with a large knife, intruded and began stabbing the girls and their teacher.</p>
<p>The court was shown video footage of the suspect arriving at the Hart Space venue in a taxi and entering the building. Moments later, screams were heard as children fled outside in panic, some visibly injured. The prosecutor said Rudakubana had “a longstanding obsession with violence, killing, genocide,&rdquo; reported AP.</p>
<p>Prosecutors concluded his crimes should not be classed as terrorism because Rudakubana had no discernible political or religious cause. Heer said, “his purpose was the commission of mass murder, not for a particular end, but as an end in itself.” Several relatives and survivors read emotional statements in court, describing how the attack had shattered their lives.</p>
<p>Prime Minister Keir Starmer said this week the country must face up to a “new threat” from violent individuals whose mix of motivations tests the traditional definition of terrorism.</p>
<p>As per AP, Starmer said after the sentencing, “After one of the most harrowing moments in our country’s history, we owe it to these innocent young girls and all those affected to deliver the change that they deserve.” &nbsp;</p>