Southport child-killer Axel Rudakubana has been taken out of court after shouting about feeling ill from the dock during his sentence hearing for the shocking Southport murders. The 18-year-old admitted to stabbing to death Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, in a surprise guilty plea in court on Monday.
The cold-blooded killer – who pleaded guilty to a total of 16 charges, including 10 counts of attempted murder – was due to appear in Liverpool Crown Court at 11am today. The proceedings were delayed by an hour before Rudakubana started to disrupt the court.
The chaotic scenes from inside the courtroom started almost as soon as the hearing started when the defendant started complaining of "chest pains". Rudakubana's defence lawyer Stanley Reiz KC told the court: “The defendant says he’s experiencing chest pains.
"He says he feels too ill to continue and would like to see a paramedic. It’s important that this case continues, but those are my instructions.”
Justice Goose said: “I’m going to continue with these proceedings for the time being.” But the defendant says: “I feel ill judge. I feel ill. I’m going to pass out. no . I can’t continue with this.”
Judge: “I’ve asked you to be quiet.” The judge asks Ms Heer to continue and she attempts to but Rudakubna says: “I can’t continue with this judge. No, no it can’t continue judge.
"I need to speak to a paramedic. I need to speak to a paramedic. My chest is hurting.”
Justice Goose replies: “Shouting from the dock is not going to make this happen any quicker. You’ve chosen that moment to say that as these proceedings start. You will see someone"
Rudakubana continues: “I didn’t choose a moment to feel pain. It’s not my fault. I need to speak to a paramedic judge. Stop ignoring me.”
The judge again tells Ms Heer to continue, but Rudakubana shouts: “Don’t continue, don't continue, don't continue.”
Justice Goose says: “Take him out.” He indicates that Rudakubana can be kept in a room at the back of the dock.
A man in the public gallery is heard to say “coward” as Rudakubana leaves. The judge says: “I think he has voluntarily absented himself.”
Rudakubana is not expected to receive a whole-life order because he was 17 at the time of the attack and the measures can normally only be imposed on criminals aged 21 or over. They are usually only considered for those aged 18 to 20 in exceptional circumstances.
But a parent of one of the children who survived the attack said an exception should be made in this case. The man, who cannot be named because his child has been granted anonymity by the court, told the Sun: “Axel should rot in jail.
“He was only a few days off his 18th birthday when he committed these most horrendous offences. Why should he be spared a whole-life tariff when he hasn’t spared a thought for any of the victims’ families? Life should mean life.
“Even if he gets 40 years, it’s not enough. He could be out to enjoy the latter part of his life. The three little girls he murdered can’t do that. If that means the law needs changing, so be it.
“He’s an adult and should be tried like one. His crimes are so horrific, an exception should be made by the judge.”
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