The Attorney General has decided not to seek a review of Southport murderer Axel Rudakubana’s lengthy prison sentence by the Court of Appeal. Rudakubana, who is currently 18 years old, is serving a minimum 52-year sentence for the brutal killings of Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Bebe King, six, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, in Southport in July 2024. In a statement released on Friday, Lord Hermer KC explained that after consulting with legal experts and the Crown Prosecution Service, he determined that there was no valid legal basis to refer the case to the Court of Appeal.
Lord Hermer emphasized that subjecting the families of the victims to additional legal proceedings would be unnecessary, as there was no realistic chance of an increased sentence. He noted that Rudakubana’s current sentence is the second-longest ever handed down by English courts, ensuring he will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars. Lord Hermer also mentioned that the government has outlined the necessary steps to ensure that the tragic murders will serve as a watershed moment.
Rudakubana, who was only 17 at the time of the incident, carried out the horrific attack during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport. He was sentenced in January at Liverpool Crown Court for three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder, and possession of a terrorist training manual. Lord Hermer extended his sympathies to the friends and families of the victims, reassuring them that their loved ones will always be remembered.
The decision not to pursue an appeal comes after careful consideration and consultation with legal experts, cementing Rudakubana’s long prison sentence as one of the harshest in English legal history. As the families continue to grapple with their loss, Lord Hermer expressed his support and solidarity, affirming that the legacy of the victims will endure
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