British teenager sentenced to 52 years after stabbing three kids

Southport killer Axel Rudakubana has been sentenced to a minimum of 52 years in prison after pleading guilty to 16 charges, including the murder of three young girls, the UK Attorney General’s Office announced on Thursday.

At Liverpool Crown Court earlier this week, the 18-year old pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Da Silva Aguiar, nine, as well as ten attempted murders, during an event at a dance school.

Rudakubana, who was born in Britain to Rwandan parents, had also pleaded guilty to the production of the biological toxin ricin, and possession of an Al-Qaeda training manual that contained advice and instructions on committing acts of terrorism, including the use of poisons and instructions on how to carry out a knife attack.

The defendant was given the minimum sentence for such a crime, which is still one of the highest on record and is the longest sentence for a killer of his age. Taking account of the 175 days that Rudakubana had already served on remand, he will be remain in jail for 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,” said Justice Julian Goose, as quoted by local news outlets.

The families of the victims have condemned the court ruling, demanding a life term for the murderer. According to victim impact statements read to the court and quoted by The Telegraph, it was “only right” that Rudakubana would face a life sentence after inflicting their family with “a lifetime of grief.”

The sentence has already been referred to the Law Officers under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme for review.

The tragedy, which triggered violent anti-immigrant riots across England, unfolded last July in Southport, a seaside town some 30km north of Liverpool. According to local authorities, 26 children, aged between six and 13, had attended the studio for a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop for the summer holidays.