Axel Rudakubana had to be removed from court by force following an outburst during his sentencing hearing.
The hearing had been delayed as the 18-year-old refused to enter the courtroom at Liverpool Crown Court.
Rudakubana admitted 16 charges, including the murder of Alice da Silva Aguiar, aged nine; Bebe King, six; and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe.
He also admitted to the attempted murder of 10 people on the same day. This includes eight children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and two adults, Leanne Lucas and John Hayes.
Axel Rudakubana has refused to enter the courtroom
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It had previously been reported that Rudakubana "required medical attention" and was taken to hospital in the early hours of this morning. However, Merseyside Police have now denied these reports.
Rudakubana said "I’m glad they’re dead" as he was held in a custody suite at the court, according to the prosecution.
Stanley Reiz KC defending said: "He has not eaten for a number of days, He has drunk very little over that period of time. There was concern about his ability to be in a high-pressure situation."
Justice Goose said he had been reassured Rudakubana was fit to attend and the court would continue until 1pm when there would be a break. Rudakubana shouted: "I can’t remain quiet. I haven’t eaten for 10 days. I feel ill. I’m not going to remain quiet."
Reiz told the court Rudakubana said he was" experiencing chest pains and felt 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 says: "I’m going to continue with these proceedings for the time being." The defendant interrupted saying: "I feel ill judge. I feel ill. I’m going to pass out. no . I can’t continue with this."
The judge responded saying: "I’ve asked you to be quiet." The prosecution was asked to continue but Rudakubna shouted : "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."
As he was escorted out of the hearing, a member of the public gallery shouted "coward" at the defendant.
LATEST ON THE SENTENCING OF AXEL RUDAKUBANA
Alice, Bebe and Elsie (left to right)MERSEYSIDE POLICE
Police escort a prison van believed to contain Axel Rudakubana arriving at Liverpool Crown Court
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Cardiff-born Rudakubana further pleaded guilty to possessing a knife on the date of the killings, which he bought on Amazon, production of a biological toxin, ricin, on or before July 29, and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism.
The terrorism offence relates to a PDF file entitled Military Studies In The Jihad Against The Tyrants, The Al Qaeda Training Manual, which he is said to have possessed between August 29 2021 and July 30 2024.
The ricin, a deadly poison, and the document were found during searches of the home in Old School Close which he shared with his parents, who are originally from Rwanda.
Documents about Nazi Germany, the Rwandan genocide and car bombs were found on Rudakubana’s devices during police searches of his home.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer addressed the nation on Tuesday to say Britain faces a new threat of terrorism from "extreme violence carried out by loners, misfits, young men in their bedrooms" following the murders.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced an inquiry into the case following Rudakubana’s guilty pleas, including how he “came to be so dangerous” and why Prevent “failed to identify the terrible risk” he posed to others.
Despite a previous conviction for violence, at the age of 17 he was able to order a kitchen knife from Amazon which he used to fatally stab the girls, and Cooper said the Government will “bring in stronger measures to tackle knife sales online in the Crime and Policing Bill this spring.”
