Sir Keir Starmer has branded Axel Rudakubana’s crimes among ‘the most harrowing moments in our country’s history” in a direct message to the Southport community this evening.
Speaking after Rudakubana was sentenced to a minimum term of 52 years in prison, the Prime Minister said: “The thoughts of the entire nation are with the families and everyone affected by the unimaginable horrors that unfolded in Southport.
“No words will ever be able to capture the depth of their pain.
“I want to say directly to the survivors, families and community of Southport – you are not alone. We stand with you in your grief.
‘You are not alone. We stand with you in your grief,’ the Prime Minister said
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“What happened in Southport was an atrocity and as the judge has stated, this vile offender will likely never be released.
“After one of the most harrowing moments in our country’s history we owe it to these innocent young girls and all those affected to deliver the change that they deserve.”
Sarah Hammond, Chief Crown Prosecutor at the CPS’s Mersey-Cheshire branch, also paid tribute “to the victims and their families in this harrowing case” in a further statement on Thursday.
Calling Rudakubana’s crimes “dreadful”, Hammond said that the case “is one of the most harrowing that I, as the Chief Crown Prosecutor for this area, have ever come across”.
READ MORE AS AXEL RUDAKUBANA IS SENT DOWN:
Rudakubana was sentenced to a minimum term of 51 years in prison today
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“Axel Rudakubana is a murderer; utter devastation followed as he acted out a meticulously planned rampage of murder and violence,” she said.
“His purpose was to kill and he targeted the youngest, most vulnerable – no doubt in order to spread the greatest level of fear and outrage, which he did.
“Three days ago, he pleaded guilty to all 16 counts against him, saving the families of the victims the trauma of reliving the events of that day in a trial.
“But he has never expressed any remorse, only cowardice, in his refusal to face the families whose lives he has forever changed.
Axel Rudakubana, as seen in a court sketch from his sentencing hearing on January 23
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“This has been an extremely difficult case for the whole prosecution team and police officers at Merseyside Police. They have had to work through some harrowing footage and evidence.
“I would like to thank them for their perseverance, compassion and determination to achieve justice for the victims and their families.
“This sentencing brings to an end this case, but the events of that day will leave a tragic legacy that will unfortunately endure for many years.”
The victims and their families “have shown tremendous dignity and composure in the face of unbelievable horror”, she added.
