Southport stabbings killer Axel Rudakubana has been removed from court after claiming he is suffering from “chest pains”.
The 18-year-old is due to be sentenced today at Liverpool Crown Court for the triple murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, on July 29 last year. The then 17-year-old launched the frenzied and fatal attack on the young girls during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the town’s The Hart Space.
He pleaded guilty on Monday to the attacks, as well as possession of weapons, production of the toxic chemical ricin and of having material useful to the planning of a terrorism attack, namely an ‘Al Qaeda training manual’ PDF. The ricin, a deadly poison, and the document were found during searches of the home in Old School Close which he shared with his parents, who are originally from Rwanda.
Documents about Nazi Germany, the Rwandan genocide and car bombs were found on Rudakubana’s devices during police searches of his home. The killer appeared in the dock hours after being rushed to hospital for medical attention earlier on Thursday.
Government sources said the teenager “required medical attention”, although the matter was not deemed serious enough to delay the sentencing. The exact reason for his admission has not been released.
Regarding the schoolgirls he had murdered, the court heard that Rudakubana said “I’m glad they’re dead” while being held in a custody suite. He appeared in the dock in a prison-issued grey tracksuit and buried his head between his knees, refusing to show his face.
The killer also refused to answer when asked to confirm his name. He burst out shouting: “I’m not fine, I feel ill” in the dock before the judge ordered him to be removed from the courtroom.
The killer claimed he felt chest pains and that he was too unwell to carry on with sentencing. Stanley Reiz KC defending said: “He has not eaten for a number of days, He has drunk very little over that period of time. There was concern about his ability to be in a high pressure situation.”
Mr Justice Goose said he had been reassured Rudakubana was fit to attend and the court would continue until 1pm when there would be a break.
Rudakubana shouted: “I can’t remain quiet. I haven’t eaten for 10 days. I feel ill. I’m not going to remain quiet.”
A member of the public gallery branded him a “coward”. Other relatives shook their heads as he left. Rudakubana had been shouting: “It’s not my fault, I feel ill.” He repeatedly shouted for a paramedic.
When the judge tried to carry on with the case, Rudakubana shouted: “Don’t continue.” He was then told to leave the dock. Mr Justice Goose said he would be brought back in to be sentenced later in the day.
The prosecution opening continued in his absence. It was told in court that Rudakubana’s victims – 13 in total – had “a severe degree of force”.
Reading out pathological evidence, prosecutor Deanna Heer said: “In all, 13 people suffered stab injuries, three of whom were killed. Many of the stab wounds that were inflicted caused bony injury, which suggests they were inflicted with a severe degree of force.
“Many were inflicted to the back of the victims, suggesting they were inflicted as the victims were trying to escape.”
A post-mortem examination established that little Elsie Dot Stancombe suffered at least 85 sharp force injuries. Schoolgirl Bebe King suffered 122 stab wounds. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Alice Da Silva Aguiar managed to leave the building after being attacked, but was sadly pronounced dead in hospital a short time later. The prosecutor said the post-mortem examination had found a severe head injury which was likely to have caused some bleeding within the brain.
Alice also had four deep stab wounds to her back, which resulted in heavy blood loss and caused air to enter the pleural cavity. Two of the wounds cut through her ribs.
An officer entered the dock several minutes after Rudakubana had left court. He said: “Medical staff have seen Rudakubana. They are happy with his state of fitness but would like a second opinion from a doctor.”
Mr Justice Goose said: “That can continue whilst we continue with proceedings.”
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond – Sign up to our daily newsletter here.