TW: Murder (specifically of children), Violence. 

 

On the 30th July 2024 Axel Rudakubana, 18, murdered Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Bebe King, six, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, at a dance class in Southport. 

Following the murders, Rudakubana has been sentenced to 52 years. As he was 17 at the time of the murders, he narrowly avoided a full adult life sentence. 

Rudakubana had premeditated the murder which occurred at a Taylor Swift themed dance class in Southport during the summer holidays. The class included 26 children aged 6-13. Rudakubana carried a 20-inch kitchen knife, stabbing 11 children, three to death, alongside Leanne Lucas, yoga teacher, 26, and Jonathan Hayes, an office worker next door who suffered minor injuries. 

Rudakubana carried a 20-inch kitchen knife, stabbing 11 children, three to death

Following the murders, multiple race riots erupted around the UK. Misinformation sparked just hours after the attack, with some sources stating that Rudakubana was an asylum seeker who illegally arrived into the country. Comments like these led to an outburst of anger across the country, with riots in London, Durham and Hampshire occurring just a few hours following his identification. 

These race riots were monumental parts in modern British history. 93 police officers were injured across these riots, with severity varying to broken jaws. By mid December 2024, 360 people had been arrested as a result of violent conduct during a protest, with 446 by the time the protests ended. 

Police described the riots as a herd of racial abuse, with rioters throwing litter at police officers. Many far right wing movements – including the Patriotic Alternative Movement – were believed to be identified in the riots. 

Following his sentencing, the killer stated he was ‘so glad those kids are dead’. 

40 family members of the victims were present during the hearing, whereby his presence caused immediate screaming and crying from the victim’s families. Axel responded by simply saying ‘I don’t care, I feel neutral’. Following his sentencing, the killer stated he was ‘so glad those kids are dead’. 

The remainder of Rudakuba’s time in prison is yet to be determined, with the families of victims seeking further justice for their children. 

 

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