The boy who fatally stabbed three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance class last summer in Southport, England, has learned his fate.
Axel Rudakubana, 18, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 52 years after admitting his role in the deadly attack in July 2024.
On Monday, January 20, Rudakubana, 18, pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to the murder of a 6, 7 and 9-year-old girl on July 29, 2024, at a dance class.
"The guilt he chose to admit on the first day of the trial at least spared the families and all those affected by this trial even greater pain, which until that moment they feared would further add to their grief and distress," Chief Inspector Jason Pye said in a statement.
Rudakubana pleaded guilty to all 16 charges against him, including attempted murder and possession of a knife, police said. He also pleaded guilty to two terror-related charges, after being accused of possessing the poison ricin and possessing an al-Qaeda training manual.
After the attack, Swift also reacted, sharing a message on Instagram, writing, "The horror of yesterday's attack in Southport has weighed heavily on me and I am completely traumatized. I don't know how to express my condolences to all the families who are going through such trauma," the singer concluded.
Rudakubana was 17 when he carried out the stabbings, which also injured eight other children and two adults, including the event organizer and the yoga teacher.
The judge added that "he will never be released and will spend the rest of his life in detention."
Source: People