With Axel Rudakubana set to sentenced today (January 23), many people are outraged that he will not be receiving a life-sentence – here is exactly why he won’t get one
The nation is holding its breath ahead of the sentencing knife killer Axel Rudakubana, who murdered children Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, at a Taylor Swift dance party. The 18-year-old’s crimes have sickened the nation but he is unlikely, however, to serve a whole life term.
Armed with a kitchen knife, Rudakubana leapt into the class, killing the three girls and injuring 10 more. On Monday, January 20, at Liverpool crown court he pleaded guilty to all charges. These included the attempted murder of 10 people and the possession of an Al Qaeda terror manual and production of ricin.
The sentencing was adjourned by Mr Justice Goose until today (Thursday, January 23), but told Rudakubana he faced an automatic life sentence. That, crucially, is a not a whole life term.
Whole life terms are usually saved for the most serious crimes, which many may feel his action fall well within the remit of, but he won’t get one for legal reasons.
That reason is that when he carried out the acts, he was only 17. Whole life terms are given to people who commit the worst crimes but are also over the age of 21.
Ursula Doyle, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor with CPS Mersey-Cheshire, called it “an unspeakable attack” which Rudakubana had “meticulously planned”.
She added: “It is clear that this was a young man with a sickening and sustained interest in death and violence”, she added. “He has shown no sign of remorse.”
Aarent of one of the children who survived the attack said an exception should be made in Rudakubana’s case, because of the grimness of the actions. Speaking to the Sun, the man, who cannot be named because his child has been granted anonymity, said: “Axel should rot in jail. He was only a few days off his 18th birthday when he committed these most horrendous offences.
“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. Even if he gets 40 years, it’s not enough. He could be out to enjoy the latter part of his life. The three little girls he murdered can’t do that. If that means the law needs changing, so be it.”
The child killer also pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of eight other children and to the attempted murder of Leanne Lucas and Jonathan Hayes. Rudakubana remained seated in the dock as he entered guilty pleas. The defendant, who had an intermediary with him in the dock, wore a grey tracksuit and a surgical mask.
Rudakubana remained seated when asked to stand by the court clerk and judge after entering court, and remained silent while Judge Mr Justice Goose read out in court.
“You will understand it’s inevitable that a life sentence will be imposed upon you,” said Justice Goose on Monday. “In the meantime, you go with the officers and be produced at that hearing at 11 o’clock on Thursday. Take him down.”
Rudakubana’s horrific actions at the Taylor Swift dance party last summer sparked a wave of public outcry, one that was hijacked in ugly fashion by right-wing activists as weeks of rioting across the country erupted.