Southport killer Rudakubana referred to anti-extremism programme before attack
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Eighteen-year-old Axel Rudakubana was referred to an anti-extremism programme three times before he carried out a “meticulously planned rampage” at a Southport dance class, it has emerged. The Prime Minister said there were “grave questions” to answer after the teenager, described by prosecutors as having “a sickening and sustained interest in death and violence”, pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday to 16 offences, including three counts of murder.
Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine; Bebe King, six; and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven; died following the attack at the Taylor Swift-themed class in The Hart Space on a small business park in the seaside town shortly before midday on July 29. The defendant admitted their murders as well as the attempted murders of eight other children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, class instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes.
It has now emerged that he was referred to the government anti-extremism scheme Prevent three times before the murders, amid concerns over his fixation with violence. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “The news that the vile and sick Southport killer will be convicted is welcome.
“It is also a moment of trauma for the nation, and there are grave questions to answer as to how the state failed in its ultimate duty to protect these young girls. “Britain will rightly demand answers, and we will leave no stone unturned in that pursuit.”.
