Last summer Axel Rudakubana (18) walked into a hall in a quiet Liverpool suburb where a children’s event was taking place and murdered three young girls. He also stabbed eight others as they tried to flee and two adults who attempted to protect the children.
The murderous rampage shocked Britain and prompted days of street protests that tapped into anti-immigrant sentiment and which quickly tipped over into violence as false rumours spread about the perpetrator.
On Monday, Rudakubana, the British-born son of Rwandan refugees, pleaded guilty to the murder of Alice da Silva Aguiar (9), Bebe King (6) and Elsie Dot Stancombe (7) and the attacks on the other victims. Following his admission, many troubling details emerged about the teenager which has led to speculation that the murders could have been prevented.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has promised an inquiry into the failings of the UK terror-monitoring system.
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Irish Times London correspondent Mark Paul outlines Rudakubana’s background and disturbing behaviour, including his “unhealthy interest in massacres, genocides and watching videos of beheadings and gore.”
Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan.
