Southport attack live updates as Axel Rudakubana launches extraordinary outburst from the dock

The man who murdered three girls at a Taylor Swift party in Southport has been removed from court on the day of his sentencing after an outburst. A sentencing hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday heard that Cardiff-born Axel Rudakubana, 18, carried out a "pre-meditated, planned knife attack upon multiple victims, principally young girls, intending to kill them".

Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, died following the attack at the Taylor Swift-themed class in The Hart Space on a small business park in the seaside town shortly before midday on July 29.

The court was also told that Rudakubana said "I'm glad they're dead" as he was held in a custody suite after killing the three girls at a Southport dance class.

Rudakubana entered the dock at Liverpool Crown Court shortly after 11.45am, but was ordered to leave by the judge. Wearing a grey tracksuit and surgical mask, he immediately sat and put his head down onto his knees.

He did not respond at all when asked to confirm his name. Dock officers were then asked if they could hear proceedings, which they replied that they could. Mr Justice Goose later ordered Rudakubana to leave the dock as he shouted repeatedly during the hearing. Rudakubana said: “I am not fit, I am ill. I need a paramedic. I need to speak to a paramedic because I feel ill.”

Mr Justice Goose said the defendant had been seen by paramedics before the hearing and had been found fit to be sentenced. Defence barrister Stanley Reiz KC said the defendant had not eaten for a number of days, and drunk very little.

Mr Reiz spoke to the defendant in the dock, he told the court Rudakubana is experiencing chest pains and wants medical attention. The defendant shouted: “I can’t