Southport killer ordered to leave dock twice amid illness claims
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Southport killer Axel Rudakubana was twice ordered to leave the dock as he repeatedly interrupted his sentencing hearing by claiming to be ill, having not eaten for 10 days. The 18-year-old’s disruptions meant he was not in court as the judge handed him one of the longest minimum terms on record.
In his sentencing remarks, Mr Justice Goose said: “During the sentencing hearing, Axel Rudakubana was determined to disrupt the proceedings so he would not have to face the victims of his crimes and face justice.”. There was a delay to the start of the proceedings at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday morning as it was confirmed he needed medical attention overnight but would appear in the courtroom.
When the teenager eventually entered the dock, wearing a grey tracksuit and surgical mask, he immediately sat and put his head down on his knees. He did not respond at all when asked to confirm his name. But as the prosecutor began outlining his crimes, the 18-year-old turned to a dock officer and said: “I’m not fine, I feel ill.”.
He shouted repeatedly: “I need to speak to a paramedic, I feel ill.”. He added: “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.
