Vile Axel Rudakubana boasted ‘I’m glad they’re dead’ after slaughtering 3 innocent kids

Southport attacker Axel Rudakubana said “I’m glad they’re dead” as he was held in a custody suite, Liverpool Crown Court has heard.

The 18-year-old is due to be sentenced today after pleading guilty to murdering Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven.

The teenager cannot be handed a whole life sentence for the stabbings at a themed dance class last July as he was not old enough at the time. Instead, will be handed down a minimum term, likely starting at 30 years.

Minutes after his outburst in court, Mr Justice Goose ordered Rudakubana to leave the dock. Prosecutors said the injuries he inflicted on his victims were “difficult to explain as anything other than sadistic in nature”.

One of his victim’s parents, who cannot be named to protect the child, also shed light Rudakubana’s remorseless behaviour in court on Monday.

The heartbroken parent added that their child is struggling “mentally” after the attack and said Rudakubana even refused to stand up when pleading guilty.

They said: “He only changed his plea in the hope of getting a reduction in his sentence. It was to try to save his own skin.”

Today, Rudakubana entered the dock just after 11:45am wearing a grey tracksuit and surgical mask, immediately putting his head on his knees. He did not reply when asked to confirm his name.

Deanna Heer KC said: “Three children were killed, two of whom suffered particularly horrific injuries which are difficult to explain as anything other than sadistic in nature.

“And the defendant attempted to kill 10 others, inflicting a number of stab wounds upon them, including to their backs as they tried to escape.”

More than 30 members of the victims’ families were in the public gallery of the court for the sentencing and the court heard there were others in an annexe.

Rudakubana pleaded guilty to all 16 offences he faced on the first day of his trial on Monday.