A teenager was sentenced to more than 50 years in prison for fatally stabbing three girls in a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England. The attacker, Axel Rudakubana, 18, was described by Judge Julian Goose as responsible for the "most extreme, shocking, and exceptionally grave crime." At the time of the crime, Axel was 17 years old and cannot be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole, but he will have to serve more than 51 years before he can be eligible for it, which means he is unlikely to ever gain freedom.
The attack occurred at Hart Space, Southport, on the first day of the summer holidays when a group of girls was enjoying crafts and Taylor Swift songs. Rudakubana broke into the class armed with a large knife and began stabbing the girls and their teacher, Leanne Lucas. Three girls lost their lives, while eight minors and two adults were injured, some with particularly serious and tragic injuries.
The defendant faced three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder, and other charges for possession of a knife, ricin poison, and an Al Qaeda manual. Despite the evidence against him, Rudakubana changed his plea to guilty on all charges the day before sentencing. During the hearing to pronounce his sentence, chilling details of the attack were heard, which shocked the country and sparked street violence and introspection.
Despite the evidence presented against him, Rudakubana was not present in court to hear his sentence. As videos showing the extent of his violence were played, there were sobs in the room. The attacker, who had stabbed one of the girls up to 32 times, interrupted the evidence presentation claiming to feel sick and requesting the presence of a paramedic. Judge Goose ordered him to be removed from the room after he continued interrupting the proceedings.