UK teenager jailed for minimum of 52 years for 'harrowing' Southport girls' murders

Michael Holden - Reuters - 23/01
A British teenager who killed three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event was jailed for at least 52 years on Thursday, for an attack Prime Minister Keir Starmer called one of the most harrowing moments in Britain's history.
  • Rudakubana killed three girls in attack last July
  • Prosecutor says Rudakubana obsessed with violence
  • She says the murders are not considered terrorism
LONDON, Jan 23 (Reuters) - A British teenager who killed three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event was jailed for at least 52 years on Thursday, for an attack Prime Minister Keir Starmer called one of the most harrowing moments in Britain's history.
Axel Rudakubana, 18, admitted killing the girls and stabbing 10 others last July in the northern English town of Southport, an atrocity that shocked Britain and was followed by days of nationwide rioting.
Prosecutor Deanna Heer told Liverpool Crown Court that Rudakubana was obsessed with violence and genocide, and two of his victims suffered such terrible injuries they were "difficult to explain as anything other than sadistic in nature".
Judge Julian Goose said Rudakubana should serve a minimum of 52 years. He said he could not impose a full life sentence as Rudakubana was 17 when the attack took place but he was unlikely ever to be released.
Twice during Thursday's hearing, Rudakubana was removed from the dock after shouting he was unwell. He refused to return to court to hear his sentence.
The court was shown harrowing video footage of screaming girls fleeing the building. One bloodied girl collapsed outside, provoking gasps and sobs from the court's public gallery.
"He targeted us because we were women and girl...
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