Southport killer refuses to leave cell for hearing

Southport child murderer Axel Rudakubana has refused to leave his prison cell for a court hearing called to resolve a legal issue.

The 18-year-old, who was last month jailed for a minimum of 52 years for the knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July 2024, had been due to appear via video link at Liverpool Crown Court.

The court heard he both refused to participate in the hearing from HMP Belmarsh in south-east London or to speak with his legal team.

Because Rudakubana was under 18 when he killed Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King, the judge amended his sentence to "detained at His Majesty's pleasure" rather than being kept in custody for life.

Mr Justice Goose explained that the purpose of the brief hearing was to "correct a technical error".

He confirmed this would have no effect on the total sentence imposed on Rudakubana, who had waived "his right to attend or to be here".

The judge told the court it was "still a life sentence" for Rudakubana, but of a different kind.

Rudakubana, from the village of Banks in west Lancashire, ultimately pleaded guilty to murdering Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven.

He also admitted the attempted murder of 10 others, including eight children, as well as producing ricin, possessing terrorist material, and possessing a knife.

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