Cardiff-born murderer made chilling call to Childline years before Southport killings
Axel Rudakubana, a Cardiff-born teenager convicted of the fatal Southport knife attacks, made a disturbing call to Childline years prior to the tragic incident. This call, where he asked ‘what should I do if I want to kill somebody?’, was revealed during his recent sentencing hearing. Rudakubana, 18, confessed to murdering six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, as well as attempting to murder eight other children, Leanne Lucas, and Jonathan Hayes.
The harrowing attack took place during a Taylor Swift-themed dance party in Southport on July 29 last year. At the sentencing hearing at Liverpool Crown Court, prosecutor Deanna Heer KC shared previously undisclosed details of the attacks, with the judge having to eject Rudakubana from the court multiple times due to disruptive behavior. Heer revealed that Rudakubana, who moved to Southport from Cardiff in 2013 and attended The Range High School, had a history of violent and concerning behavior.
In October 2019, Rudakubana contacted Childline expressing violent thoughts towards a school bully, stating his desire to kill if provoked. Subsequent incidents, including being found with a knife by the police in 2022 and possessing toxic substances, showcased his alarming mindset. Furthermore, Rudakubana had prior convictions for assault and possession of offensive weapons, indicating a pattern of violent behaviour.
The court also heard that Rudakubana purchased a knife from Amazon before the killings, produced a biological toxin, ricin, and possessed terrorist-related materials. The sentencing hearing for these heinous crimes is ongoing; shedding light on the extensive background of the offender and his alarming escalation towards violence.
The tragic events in Southport have shocked the community, prompting discussions around mental health support for troubled individuals like Rudakubana. The chilling details of his interactions with Childline and his premeditated actions highlight the importance of early intervention and support for individuals displaying concerning behaviour.
As the court proceedings continue, the callous nature of the crimes committed by Rudakubana serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of unchecked violent tendencies. The focus is now on ensuring justice for the victims and their families, while also addressing the underlying issues that led to such a tragic outcome.
The case of Axel Rudakubana underscores the critical need for mental health awareness and intervention strategies to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The devastating loss of innocent lives in Southport serves as a somber reminder of the importance of early detection and intervention in cases involving individuals with violent tendencies.
The ongoing sentencing hearing will determine the accountability and consequences for Rudakubana’s reprehensible actions, as the community grapples with the aftermath of the horrific events that unfolded in Southport. The callous nature of the murders and the disturbing revelations from his past interactions highlight the pressing need for comprehensive mental health support and intervention to prevent such atrocities from occurring again.