Teen killer Axel Rudakubana cannot be sentenced to life in prison due to legal protections
Axel Rudakubana, 18, will have a minimum prison term set by a judge before he can be considered for release. This is because UK law prevents life sentences for offenders under 18, even for serious crimes like Rudakubana’s attack in Southport.
Barrister Steven Barrett told GB News that the law should be changed. He criticized Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for not using his parliamentary majority to amend the law before Rudakubana’s sentencing.
Rudakubana, who killed three people and injured ten others, will be sentenced today at Liverpool Crown Court. However, he cannot receive a whole-life order because he was 17 when the crimes were committed.
Barrett called for action, stating, “The Prime Minister talks about giving 16-year-olds the right to vote, but there seems to be a gap in holding them fully accountable for their actions. This is something the country needs to address.”
He also expressed frustration with the failures of the Prevent scheme, which he said allowed Rudakubana to evade intervention. “This case is horrifying,” Barrett said. “He didn’t just murder three innocent children; he also grotesquely stabbed ten others and traumatized many more.”
When questioned about Keir Starmer’s decision to withhold information after the attack, Barrett claimed the Prime Minister was dishonest. “The idea that he couldn’t reveal it was terrorism in August but could in October doesn’t add up. It feels like we don’t have an honest Prime Minister,” he said.
Barrett also praised the bravery of two adults, Leanne Lucas and John Hayes, who were injured while protecting children during the attack. He urged the country to honor them as heroes. “They represent the good in society, while Rudakubana represents pure evil. We should recognize their courage with titles like knights or dames,” he said.
Starmer defended his decision to withhold details about the case, saying it was necessary to ensure the trial would not collapse. “The only losers would have been the victims and their families if the trial had failed,” he said.
