Axel Rudakubana shouting from the dock as he appeared at Liverpool Crown Court (Image: Elizabeth Cook)
His victims’ loved-ones came to Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday to see justice for their children with their own eyes.
But the evil Southport serial killer, 18, spent most of the sentencing hearing cowered in his cell – and thinking only of his own pathetic health.
Alice da Silva Aguiar’s mum and dad sat opposite the glass-panelled dock desperate to stare into the eyes of the killer of their beautiful nine year-old daughter.
But Rudakubana – so quick to express being “glad” at his evil handiwork – instead spent most of the sentencing cowered in his cell.
It was yet another insult to his already shattered victims, cruelly robbing them of the satisfaction at seeing him pay for his heinous crimes.
Rudakubana’s victims (left to right) Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar (L-R) (Image: Merseyside Police)
Quietly and with dignity the Southport families had started the day sat waiting in courtroom 5.4 for the 11am sentencing to begin.
Only Alice’s parents felt able to confront him face-to-face – as Elsie Dot Stancombe and Bebe King’s felt too anguished by the unfathomable ordeal.
By now the narcissistic brute had been driven into the building with a police motorcycle escort and past a burst of photographers’ flashes.
But on entering the dock, wearing a prison-issue grey sweater and surgical mask while squeezing a ‘stress toy’, he yelled at the judge: “I feel ill!”
Judge Mr Justice Goose carried on regardless but to loathing stares, Rudakubana interrupted: “I need to speak to the paramedic because I feel ill. I haven’t eaten for 10 days, judge. I’m not going to remain quiet.”
Angry Mr Justice Goose admonished him: “Shouting from the dock will not make this go any quicker.”
Eventually the judge ordered him down to “get medical assistance” – but when led out the dock Alice’s furious dad Sergio yelled out: “Coward!”
Later Rudakubana returned to the dock only to moan about feeling unwell before being kicked out again.
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Footage of Rudakubana arriving at the door of the Hart Space (Image: Merseyside Police)
Rudakubana knew what he was doing.
Because in his absence the true extent of his rampage was laid bare to the horror of the court, on CCTV of his actions and arrest seen for the first time.
Initially they sat in shocked silence watching his movements on screens in court as he nonchalantly entered The Hart Space and went upstairs to the dance studio.
But silence turned to tears as the scream of the children was heard on the video before the injured, bloody children staggered out one by one, searching for safety with some then collapsing.
When Alice’s parents Sergio and Alexandra saw their daughter on film leaving the building in fear before slowly collapsing by a car, they lowered their heads and wept.
Wounded dance teacher Leanne Lucas, 36, fled the courtroom in tears as another video showed a young girl trying to leave the studio – only for Rudakubana to drag her back.
The child was later seen staggering out into the car park, knocking on a door for help and the collapsing.
The haunting victim statements, some from children Rudakubana left with scars they will carry forever, were heard in eerie, aching silence.
Alice’s mum rested her head on husband Sergio’s shoulders as his impact statement told how she had contemplated ending her life, just to see her cherished child again.
The dignity of the families compared to the cruel disregard of Rudakubana encapsulate this devastating case.
It’s the contrast between angelic innocence – and pure evil.