July 29, 2024 – The Morning of the Attack

A children’s dance and creative class was taking place at the Hart Space community venue in Southport, England. Inside the room, young girls were singing, dancing, and making friendship bracelets. Parents believed their children were safe in what should have been a joyful, protective environment.

At some point that morning, 15-year-old Axel Rudakubana arrived at the location armed with a knife.

July 29, 2024 – The Attack Begins

Rudakubana entered the room and launched a sudden, violent knife attack on the children and adults inside.

Within minutes:

Elsie Dot Stancombe (7)

Bebe King (6)

Alice da Silva Aguiar (9)
were fatally stabbed.

At least 10 other victims, including children and adults, suffered serious and life-threatening injuries. Survivors later described scenes of total panic, screaming, and bloodshed as children tried to flee.

July 29, 2024 – Emergency Response

Emergency services rushed to the scene. Police officers entered the building to detain Rudakubana. Paramedics and air ambulance crews treated multiple wounded victims at the scene before transporting them to hospital.

Local residents opened their homes to shelter injured children in the immediate aftermath. First responders later said they were confronted with “unimaginable horrors.”

Late July–August 2024 – National Shock and Mourning

News of the attack sent shockwaves across the UK. Vigils were held in Southport and across the country. Tributes flooded in for the three murdered girls.

Merseyside Police confirmed the case was one of the most traumatic investigations in the force’s history.

Late 2024 – Investigation Expands

CCTV footage showed Rudakubana traveling toward the venue shortly before the killings. Digital evidence, witness testimony, and forensic reconstructions were compiled.

It later emerged that:

Rudakubana had previously contacted Childline, confessing that he intended to take a knife to school.

Police had been alerted at that time.

He had also been referred multiple times to the UK government’s Prevent anti-radicalisation programme.

These revelations triggered public outrage and raised serious questions about systemic failures.

January 23, 2025 – Sentencing Day Begins

Now aged 18, Rudakubana appeared at Liverpool Crown Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to:

3 counts of murder

10 counts of attempted murder

The courtroom was filled with families of victims, survivors, police officers, and legal teams.

January 23, 2025 – Prosecution Statement

Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC told the court that the attack was:

“Premeditated”

“Sadistic in nature”

She stated that Rudakubana deliberately targeted the youngest and most vulnerable in order to cause maximum fear and devastation.

January 23, 2025 – Courtroom Disruptions

As the prosecution detailed the injuries and final moments of the victims, Rudakubana repeatedly shouted from the dock in attempts to disrupt the proceedings. Court officers eventually removed him from the courtroom so the sentencing could continue.

January 23, 2025 – Sentence Delivered

High Court Judge Mr Justice Goose passed down:

13 life sentences, to run concurrently

A minimum term of 52 years in prison

The judge stated clearly:

“It is highly likely that he will never be released.”

This means Rudakubana will not even be eligible to apply for parole until at least the age of 70.

January 24, 2025 – Police Response

Detective Chief Inspector Jason Pye issued a public statement saying:

The attack devastated families, the Southport community, and the entire country.

The investigation was the most harrowing of his career.

First responders and members of the public acted with bravery when confronting horrifying scenes.

He confirmed that Rudakubana had also tried to frustrate justice during the legal process by refusing cooperation and remaining silent.

January 24, 2025 – Victims’ Families Speak

Families of survivors and the murdered girls released emotional statements:

They welcomed the guilty plea as it spared them the trauma of a full trial.

Many spoke of their children’s long psychological recovery.

Parents described scenes their children would “carry for life.”

Several families called for privacy as they continued to heal.

January 24, 2025 – Charity and Safeguarding Response

The NSPCC confirmed that Rudakubana had previously contacted Childline before the attack. The charity emphasized the urgent need for reform to prevent similar tragedies.

Childline services were expanded to support children struggling with trauma nationwide.

January 24, 2025 – Government Orders Public Inquiry

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a formal public inquiry, stating:

“The country failed in its duty to protect these children.”

The inquiry will investigate:

Why previous warning signs were missed

How referrals to Prevent were handled

Whether institutional failures allowed the attack to happen

What Happens Next

Public inquests will be held into the deaths of the three girls.

Rudakubana retains the legal right to appeal, though the judge made clear the sentence reflects extreme danger to society.

The public inquiry is expected to expose systemic safeguarding failures.

Final Outcome

Three young lives — Elsie, Bebe, and Alice — were stolen in one of the most horrifying child attacks in modern British history. While Axel Rudakubana will likely spend the rest of his life in prison, the pain for the victims’ families and survivors will last forever.

Southport, and the nation, continues to mourn.