‘I’m glad they’re dead’: Southport killer’s harrowing words in court on day of sentencing
In an emotionally charged day at Liverpool Crown Court, Axel Rudakubana, the teenager who pleaded guilty to the brutal murders of three young girls and the attempted murders of 10 others in Southport last year, faced sentencing. The court heard harrowing details of his crimes, his chilling obsession with violence, and his disturbing words following the attack: “It’s a good thing those children are dead. I’m so glad and so happy.”
Rudakubana’s sentencing hearing has been fraught with tension and emotion. Earlier, he was removed from the courtroom after repeatedly shouting that he was unwell and demanding a paramedic. His defense team claimed he hadn’t eaten or drunk much in days, but after being examined by medical staff, he was deemed fit to continue.
A family member of one of the victims shouted “Coward” as he was escorted out. The judge eventually allowed proceedings to continue in his absence, though Rudakubana later returned to the dock under strict warnings not to disrupt the hearing again.
The prosecution painted a horrifying picture of Rudakubana’s premeditated violence. Evidence from his computer revealed a long-standing obsession with killings, genocide, and atrocities.
Prosecutors argued that he had deliberately targeted the youngest and most vulnerable victims to spread fear and outrage. On July 29, 2023, he attacked children in a Southport dance studio, stabbing three girls—aged six, seven, and nine—to death, and leaving others with life-threatening injuries.
Details of the attack were described in gruesome detail. Families of the victims, many choosing to stay in the courtroom despite being given the option to leave, listened as the prosecution recounted the events. In one heartbreaking account, a staff member locked herself and a child in a bathroom cubicle, believing the others had escaped, only to hear screams and realize they hadn’t. The court was also shown CCTV footage of the chaos as police arrived on the scene, shouting “Taser, Taser” while trying to apprehend Rudakubana.
During the trial, the court learned that Rudakubana had been referred to the Prevent counter-terrorism program three times but was never taken into its care.
His disturbing behavior, including carrying knives, violent tendencies, and possession of a jihadi training manual and ricin, raised significant red flags, yet systemic failures allowed him to carry out his heinous crimes.
Because Rudakubana was 17 at the time of the murders, he cannot receive a full life sentence. Instead, he faces a life sentence with a minimum term, after which he could be considered for parole. The judge’s decision on the minimum term is expected later today. Victims’ families will also deliver impact statements, which are anticipated to be deeply emotional.
The case has drawn national attention, not only for its brutality but also for the systemic failures it has highlighted.
From delays in action by authorities to gaps in how violent and extremist tendencies are managed, the Southport killings have led to calls for reform in programs like Prevent and greater accountability from institutions tasked with protecting the public.
As the sentencing hearing continues, the nation waits to see how justice will be served for the victims and their grieving families. The scars of this tragedy are deep, and today’s proceedings serve as a grim reminder of the devastating consequences when warning signs are ignored.
