As Southport Killer Sentenced, Court Hears Heroic Acts During Brutal Attack

Mrs. Heer recounts how he took a taxi to Hart Space, where Taylor Swift’s sold-out dance class for 6- to 11-year-olds was on during the summer break from school. Visual evidence presented in court, taken from CCTV footage and body cameras worn by police, showed Mr. Rudakubana arrives outside the dance floor.

He entered the building and stabbed several children and Leanne Lucas, one of the teachers who had organized the class. Moments later, screams are heard in the footage, before children are seen running from the building.

Some were covered in blood and fell before anyone could help them.

Many people burst into tears in the courtroom when the video was shown, others chose to leave overcome by emotion. Bebe King, 6, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, were so badly injured that they died inside the building. Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, ran outside but soon collapsed. He was rushed to the hospital and died the next day. Eight other children and two adults were injured, including Ms Lucas.

In a statement read to the court, Ms Lucas said her injuries had affected her physically and mentally.

“I, like the girls, have scars that we can’t see, scars that we can’t get rid of,” she said, adding, “To find out that he always intended to hurt the vulnerable is incomprehensible. To Alice, Elsie, Bebe, Heidi and the girls who are still alive, I survive because of you.”