UK Teenager Receives 52-Year Sentence for Stabbing Three Children
Families of the victims have criticized the verdict given to the Southport killer as 'unduly lenient,' calling for a life sentence. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The families of the victims have criticized the ‘unduly lenient’ verdict for the Southport killer, calling for a life sentence.
Axel Rudakubana, the Southport killer, has received a minimum sentence of 52 years in prison after pleading guilty to 16 charges, including the murder of three young girls, the UK Attorney General’s Office reported on Thursday.
Earlier this week, the 18-year-old appeared at Liverpool Crown Court and admitted to fatally stabbing Bebe King, age six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, age seven, and Alice Da Silva Aguiar, age nine, along with ten attempted murders that occurred at a dance school event.
Rudakubana, who was born in Britain to Rwandan parents, also pleaded guilty to producing the biological toxin ricin and possessing an Al-Qaeda training manual that provided guidance on carrying out acts of terrorism, including the use of poisons and instructions for knife attacks.
The defendant was handed the minimum sentence applicable for such crimes, which remains one of the highest on record and the longest for someone of his age. After accounting for the 175 days he has already spent in remand, Rudakubana will serve a total of 51 years and 190 days before he can be considered for release by the Parole Board.
“It is highly likely that he will never be released,” stated Justice Julian Goose, according to local news sources.
The victims' families have strongly criticized the ruling, insisting that the murderer should receive a life sentence. Victim impact statements presented to the court and cited by The Telegraph described it as “only right” for Rudakubana to face a life sentence after subjecting their families to “a lifetime of grief.”
This case has been referred to the Law Officers under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme for further review.
The horrific events, which sparked violent anti-immigrant riots throughout England last July, took place in Southport, a coastal town located approximately 30 kilometers north of Liverpool. Local authorities indicated that 26 children, aged between six and 13, had joined the studio for a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop during the summer holidays.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
Axel Rudakubana, the Southport killer, has received a minimum sentence of 52 years in prison after pleading guilty to 16 charges, including the murder of three young girls, the UK Attorney General’s Office reported on Thursday.
Earlier this week, the 18-year-old appeared at Liverpool Crown Court and admitted to fatally stabbing Bebe King, age six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, age seven, and Alice Da Silva Aguiar, age nine, along with ten attempted murders that occurred at a dance school event.
Rudakubana, who was born in Britain to Rwandan parents, also pleaded guilty to producing the biological toxin ricin and possessing an Al-Qaeda training manual that provided guidance on carrying out acts of terrorism, including the use of poisons and instructions for knife attacks.
The defendant was handed the minimum sentence applicable for such crimes, which remains one of the highest on record and the longest for someone of his age. After accounting for the 175 days he has already spent in remand, Rudakubana will serve a total of 51 years and 190 days before he can be considered for release by the Parole Board.
“It is highly likely that he will never be released,” stated Justice Julian Goose, according to local news sources.
The victims' families have strongly criticized the ruling, insisting that the murderer should receive a life sentence. Victim impact statements presented to the court and cited by The Telegraph described it as “only right” for Rudakubana to face a life sentence after subjecting their families to “a lifetime of grief.”
This case has been referred to the Law Officers under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme for further review.
The horrific events, which sparked violent anti-immigrant riots throughout England last July, took place in Southport, a coastal town located approximately 30 kilometers north of Liverpool. Local authorities indicated that 26 children, aged between six and 13, had joined the studio for a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop during the summer holidays.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
