Seven missed chances to stop Southport killer – from counter-terror referrals to ‘plotting UK’s first school massacre’
Share:
THERE were seven missed chances to stop the Southport killer, it can be revealed - as a public inquiry is set to be launched. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer today has demanded answers as to how the state "failed to protect young girls" from Axel Rudakubana.
![[Headshot of Axel Rudakubana.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Axel-Rudakubana.jpg?strip=all&w=720)
It comes after it emerged the 18-year-old convicted murderer was referred to anti-terror scheme Prevent THREE times before launching the attack last summer. Six-year-old Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, died at the scene at the Hart Space on Hart Street on July 29.
![[Handout photo of Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, a victim of a knife attack.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/handout-file-photo-elsie-dot-944890975.jpg?strip=all&w=768)
A third girl, nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, died in hospital the day after the incident. Rudakubana pleaded guilty to 16 charges as... As his trial was due to begin, on Monday (January 20), he pleaded guilty to all charges: three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and two terror-related charges.
![[A young girl wearing a Wicked-themed t-shirt.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/handout-photo-bebe-king-6-944890877.jpg?strip=all&w=720)
A sentencing date has been set for January 23, and Justice Goose said that a life order was inevitable. Rudakubana had been referred to the Prevent scheme on three occasions due to his interest in violence. However, while his behaviour was considered a concern he was not accepted onto the programme due to a lack of evidence of terrorist ideology.
![[Girl in white dress standing next to illuminated cross.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/handout-file-photo-alice-da-944890859.jpg?strip=all&w=723)
Following his arrest, an emergency review concluded Prevent had followed correct procedure. Rudakubana was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents and has an older brother. He moved to Banks, a village in Lancashire located a few miles from Southport, in 2013.
![[Prison van leaving Liverpool Crown Court.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/prison-van-believed-contain-axel-965246812.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
