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COWARD TO THE END
Southport killer’s sick court stunts caused agony to the end – but justice for Bebe, Elsie & Alice has finally been done
Killer's sick attempt to draw attention to himself failed when he was twice booted from court room
SLUMPED in the dock with a mask covering his face, vile Axel Rudakubana had remained silent through each of his previous court hearings.
The twisted teen only opened his mouth for the first time on Monday when he entered his pleas, muttering "guilty" to all 16 charges put before him.
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But Rudakubana appeared to have found his voice today as he wailed from the courtroom: "I need to speak to a paramedic, I feel ill."
His sickening courtroom stunts no doubt have caused further misery for the victims' families who have remained stoic through proceedings.
The tension was palpable as one family member finally broke - branding the triple killer a "coward" as he continued to moan from the dock.
Read more on the tragedy
- Axel Rudakubana was sentenced today over the Southport massacre
- The monster told police "I'm glad they're dead" after the horror
- Chilling footage shows the killer arriving at the dance class before the rampage
- A dance teacher made a heartbreaking victim impact statement
- The families of victims told how their lives were 'shattered in an instant'
- Shocking pictures show a cache of weapons found in Rudakubana's home
- All the missed chances to stop the killer have been revealed
- A Sky News reporter broke down on air while covering the sentencing
The judge then ordered Rudakubana be removed so the hearing could continue without any more disruptions.
There was always a fear that he would attempt to make today all about him rather than giving his multiple victims the platform they deserve.
But as silence fell again, it all became all about those caught up in the carnage that fateful day.
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In an emotional move, those in the court were given the chance to leave as graphic details were read by the prosecutor.
The grieving families made the brave decision to remain as their children's final seconds on earth were played out in front of them.
There were gasps from the public gallery as horrific CCTV showed how the 12 minute rampage unfolded.
One woman sobbed and put her hand over her face during one moment so harrowing it would be insensitive to repeat it.
The court also heard details of the children's injuries that were so horrific, their parents asked the media not to repeat them.
As the prosecutor said, their wounds were "difficult to explain as anything other than sadistic in nature".
It's hard to believe that as these innocent girls made friendship bracelets and danced to Taylor Swift that their lives would be ended in such a barbaric way.
No parent waves goodbye to their child expecting it to be the last time.
Equally, no innocent child looking forward to a special dance class would expect a monster to burst through and shatter so many lives in the space of just 12 minutes.
The ripples from what happened on July 29 will be felt forever - not just for the victims' families but for the whole of the country.
For every parent who has ever signed their child up for an event during the summer holidays just hoping they will have fun.
For those who live in Southport and will probably never forget the screams that came from the building that day.
And of course those brave adults who put their own lives on the line to save as many lives as they could.
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Now Rudubakana has been sentenced, questions will of course need to be asked but today is not the Axel show - despite his best efforts.
Today is about securing justice for Bebe, Elsie and Alice and now that has finally been done.
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