BREAKING Axel Rudakubana jailed for life over Southport murders

Axel Rudakubana has been jailed for life with a minimum term of at least 52 years for the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven.

A sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday (January 23), heard he told police 'I'm glad they're dead' as he was held in a custody suite after the horrific killings.

The 18-year-old pleaded guilty to the brutal killings at the start of his trial earlier this week. The three young girls were stabbed to death at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport in July last year.

Alice da Silva Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe all died following the attack at The Hart Space on a small business park in the seaside town shortly before midday on July 29.

The now 18-year-old also pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of eight other children and to the attempted murder of Leanne Lucas and Jonathan Hayes.

Rudakubana additionally pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of a knife, as well as production of a biological toxin, namely ricin, contrary to Section 1 of the Biological Weapons Act 1974; and possessing information, namely a pdf file entitled “Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants: The Al-Qaeda Training Manual”.

On Thursday (January 23), Mr Justice Goose jailed Rudakubana for life, meaning he must serve a minimum term of 52 years. and would likely be in custody 'for all his life.'

Because he was 17 when the murders were committed he is ineligible for a whole life order. Rudakubana appeared in a grey prison issue tracksuit surrounded in the dock by five security guards. He wore a face mask over his mouth and sat with his head bowed, refusing to confirm his name.

Later, he interrupted the hearing to tell the court he felt