Judge’s withering response to Axel Rudakubana as killer complains he’s ailing throughout sentencing for murdering three little ladies
The judge sentencing Axel Rudakubana today told the triple killer to leave his courtroom as he repeatedly complained he was ill in front of the parents of the little girls he had murdered.
There were repeated delays to the proceedings at Liverpool Crown Court as the 18-year-old whined: ‘I’m not fine, I feel ill.’
He shouted repeatedly: ‘I need to speak to a paramedic, I feel ill. You’re not giving me any support judge, I feel ill.’
The barrister representing him, Stanley Reiz KC, said: ‘He has not eaten for a number of days. He has drunk very little over that period of time. There was concern about his ability to be in a high pressure situation.’
When the judge tried to carry on with the case, Rudakubana shouted: ‘Don’t continue.’
Mr Justice Goose told the killer: ‘Shouting from the dock is not going to make this happen any quicker. If you remain quiet you will be able to see someone.’
After the 18-year-old replied: ‘I’m not going to remain quiet I am in pain,’ Mr Justice Goose hit back: ‘You’ve chosen this moment to say this. These proceedings are being conducted under my control Mr Rudakubana – do you understand? Not yours!’
Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Southport stabbings suspect Axel Rudakubana, 18, shouting from the dock as he appeared at Liverpool Crown Court
A prison van containing Rudakubana arriving at Liverpool Crown Court for his sentencing
Mr Justice Goose said he had been reassured Rudakubana was fit to attend but Rudakubana shouted: ‘I can’t remain quiet. I haven’t eaten for 10 days. I feel ill. I’m not going to remain quiet.’
As Rudakubana continued shouting, he was then told to leave the dock.
Mr Justice Goose said he would be brought back in to be sentenced later in the day.
One family member shouted ‘coward’ as Rudakubana left the dock as other relatives shook their heads.
Rudakubana had been shouting: ‘It’s not my fault, I feel ill.’
Moments later an officer entered the dock and said: ‘Medical staff have seen Rudakubana. They are happy with his state of fitness but would like a second opinion from a doctor.’
Mr Justice Goose said: ‘That can continue whilst we continue with proceedings.’
Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, was one of the three children killed in the knife attack in Southport
Bebe King, six, was also killed in the knife attack at The Hart Space in Southport last July
Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, was among the three little girls killed in the attack in Southport
Rudakubana said: ‘I’m so glad those kids are dead, it makes me happy’ when he was in police custody, Ms Heer told the court.
She said this was one of a number of ‘unsolicited comments’ which were recorded on CCTV footage or noted down at the time.
The others she read to the court were: ‘I don’t care, I’m feeling neutral.’ It’s a good thing those children are dead.’
‘Literally, such a good thing those kids are dead, six-years-old. I’m so glad the children are dead, so glad,’ and, ‘So happy, six-years-old. It’s a good thing they are dead, yeah.’
Deanna Heer KC said the defendant’s blood-covered knife was recovered from the landing where he was arrested.
She said that two pathologists concluded the ‘weapon was capable of causing all the stab wounds inflicted in this case’.
The prosecutor said Rudakubana made no reply to the caution when he was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and then, soon afterwards, on suspicion of murder.
He was assessed by psychiatrists in the cells who found him fit to be detained and interviewed.
The murderer pictured in a police mugshot
There was a heavy police presence at Liverpool Crown Court ahead of Rudakubana’s sentencing
But Ms Heer said Rudakubana remained silent when he was interviewed.
Axel Rudakubana returned to the dock of Liverpool Crown Court as his sentencing hearing resumed following a lunchtime break.
He looked around the court briefly before dropping his head to his lap.
Before he entered, Mr Justice Goose said: ‘I understand the defendant has actually been seen again and found to be fit, physically, to come into court for the moment, he continues to indicate that were he to do so he would disrupt proceedings.’
Stan Reiz KC, defending, said the defendant was willing to come into court and understood it was important not to disrupt proceedings.’
He said the situation may change.
Mr Justice Goose said: ‘If they do I’ll remove him but I will want him to come into court at the point of sentence.’
Rudakubana remained silent and looking at the floor as Deanna Heer KC continued outlining the case.
