The Terrorism Act 2000 defines terrorism as an act intended to influence a government, an international governmental institution, the public or a section of the public, and added: "It's arguable there was an intention to intimidate at least a section of the public.”.
At his sentencing hearing on Thursday, when Rudakubana was jailed for life with a 52-year minimum term, prosecutor Deanna Heer KC offered an explanation for the killer not facing a terrorism charge over the killings.
Southport killer Axel Rudakubana’s killing spree in Southport sparked national outrage, and was the trigger point – together with online disinformation – for last summer’s riots.
She said terrorism would be an aggravating feature in sentencing, but prosecutors have to meet a "very specific definition of terrorism" for it to be put forward in court.
Some have questioned why the attack was not deemed a terrorist offence, and why Rudakubana did not face terrorism allegations when he was first charged with murder and attempted murder.
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