Southport killer Axel Rudakubana was taken to hospital in the early hours of today for medical attention but has attended court to be sentenced, sources have said.
The 18-year-old has now appeared in the dock for murdering three young girls in a frenzied knife attack last year.
Rudakubana stabbed and killed the girls, aged between six and nine, with a 20cm-long kitchen knife as he ambushed a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, Merseyside.
Wearing a surgical face mask while armed with the blade, the then 17-year-old travelled five miles from his family home to the studio where he killed Alice da Silva Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe.
As a trial was set to begin at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, the teenager pleaded guilty to the murder of the three children as well as the attempted murders of eight others.
He also admitted production of a biological toxin and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism. He also pleaded guilty to possession of a knife.
One parent of a child who survived the attack called for him to face a whole-life tariff, saying: “Why should he be spared a whole-life tariff when he hasn’t spared a thought for any of the victims’ families? Life should mean life.”
Rudakubana appears in dock
Axel Rudakubana has taken his seat in the dock, just minutes after it emerged he was rushed to hospital in the early hours of this morning.
He is wearing a grey prison issue tracksuit and surgical facemask and is sitting with his head bowed, in front of four dock officers.
He did not respond when asked to confirm his identity.
Mr Justice Goose has taken his seat and the hearing is about to begin.
Amy-Clare Martin23 January 2025 11:51
Southport killer rushed to hospital earlier this morning
Southport killer Axel Rudakubana was taken to hospital in the early hours of today for medical attention but is now due to attend court to be sentenced, sources said.
The Times reported that his condition was not deemed serious enough to delay his sentencing hearing.
The reason for him being taken to hospital is unknown.
Holly Evans23 January 2025 11:49
Families of victims take their seats in the courtroom
Families of some of the victims are seated in the courtroom as we wait for Axel Rudakubana’s sentencing to begin.
Every seat is filled with police, legal teams, victim’s families and waiting members of the press.
Further media are watching proceedings from an overflow courtroom elsewhere in the building.
Rudakubana has not entered yet entered the dock.
Amy-Clare Martin23 January 2025 11:47
No reason yet given for delay in sentencing
There has been a delay in the sentencing of Axel Rudakubana at Liverpool Crown Court which was due to start at 11am.
No reason for the delay has been given.
A prison van believed to have Rudakubana inside was pictured arriving at court earlier on Thursday.
Holly Evans23 January 2025 11:44
Watch: Southport killer arrives at court for murder sentencing
Holly Evans23 January 2025 11:36
Southport killer should spend whole life in prison, says murdered MP’s daughter
The public should have a guarantee that killers such as Axel Rudakubana will spend the rest of their lives in prison, the daughter of murdered MP Sir David Amess has said.
Rudakubana, who will be sentenced today for the murders of three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, is not expected to receive a whole-life order as he was under 18 when he carried out the attack last summer.
He will receive a life sentence, and former police chief Sir Peter Fahy suggested it was “likely” he would never be released even after the end of the minimum term set by the judge.
But speaking to ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Thursday, Katie Amess – whose father’s murderer Ali Harbi Ali did receive a whole-life sentence – said this was not good enough.
She said: “There shouldn’t be a likeliness of the man spending the rest of his life in prison, there should be a guarantee that he should never, ever walk free because we can’t have people like that being released.
“And what kind of message does it send to anybody else that might be thinking of doing something and then not have to spend the rest of their lives in prison.”
Whole-life orders can normally only be imposed on criminals aged 21 and over, but can be considered for those aged 18 to 20 in exceptional circumstances.
Holly Evans23 January 2025 11:34
Hearing slightly delayed
Proceedings at Liverpool Crown Court are slightly delayed as the court continues to allocate people their seats.
Axel Rudakubana has arrived at court in a prison van accompanied by a police escort.
Holly Evans23 January 2025 11:19
Sentencing to begin shortly
The sentencing of Axel Rudakubana is due to begin shortly at Liverpool Crown Court.
Our crime correspondent Amy-Clare Martin will be bringing you all the latest updates as we hear from the prosecution and the defence team.
As a reminder, this page will contain distressing details.
Holly Evans23 January 2025 11:11
Pictured: A woman standing outside court in protest
Holly Evans23 January 2025 10:58
Prison van believed to be carrying Axel Rudakubana arrives
A prison van believed to contain Axel Rudakubana arriving at Liverpool Crown Court for his sentencing after he admitted the murders of three girls at a dance class in Southport.
Holly Evans23 January 2025 10:51
