Southport killer Axel Rudakubana had enough ricin hidden in a lunchbox under his bed to kill as many as 12,000 people, it has emerged.
The 18-year-old was jailed for life after murdering three young girls and stabbing several others in an act of “extreme violence” at a Taylor Swift themed dance class.
Deanna Heer KC told Liverpool Crown Court that the 150 castor beans found at the scene could have produced between 1.07 and 5.33g of ricin – enough to kill 12,500 people if inhaled.
He was sentenced in his absence after failing to return to the dock, and will now spend decades behind bars for what the judge termed “the most extreme, shocking and exceptionally serious crime”.
It came as Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley was asked if the killings were classed as an act of terrorism.
He replied: “Not on the law as it is today, no. It is frustrating,” he admitted on LBC, “but it is the law”.
The families of Rudakubana’s victims shared their pain and anger inside Liverpool Crown Court. Mother of murdered seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, Jenny, described the attack as “the act of a coward” and said Rudakubana was “cruel and pure evil”.
Key Points
- In pictures: Ricin enough to kill 12,000 people and safety goggles found in Rudakubana’s bedroom
- Sir Mark Rowley says Southport attack not terrorism
- Rudakubana’s 52-year sentence to be reviewed
- Southport killer said ‘I’m so glad...so happy’ to police after killing children
International law prevented Rudakubana getting whole life order - minister
09:30 , Barney DavisRudakubana could not be given a whole-life sentence because he was 17 at the time he murdered three girls at a dance class in Southport in July last year.
Though he will likely die behind bars after being jailed for 52 years, critics have claimed the punishment is not severe enough.
Asked about calls to change the law so others like the Southport killer could be sent down for their whole lives, Defence Secretary John Healey told Sky News: “There are limits on international, United Nations law that prevent us having a court system that will impose unlimited sentences on under-18-year-olds.
“But in practice, I can’t see this man ever coming out of prison, I don’t want to see this man ever coming out of prison, and the judge yesterday when he sentenced him to 52 years was also quite clear he doesn’t expect him to come out of prison in the future.”
The UN Convention on the Rights of a Child says governments which have signed it should ensure that “neither capital punishment nor life imprisonment without possibility of release shall be imposed for offences committed by persons below 18 years of age”.
Sir Mark Rowley says Southport attack not terrorism
09:04 , Barney DavisMetropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley was asked by Nick Ferrari on LBC if the killings which left three dead and 10 injured, was classed as an act of terrorism.
He replied: “Not on the law as it is today, no.”
“That’s what police decided, CPS decided,” he said, highlighting that “changes are needed” were needed when it came to the categorisation of crime.
He highlighted that the UK has some of the strictest contempt of court laws anywhere in the world, adding the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has to ensure that trials are fair and not subject to prejudice.
“It is frustrating,” he admitted on LBC, “but it is the law”.
“There are countries where contempt of court laws are nowhere near this and you’re able to talk more freely, but in our legal system if the police or CPS had said loads more there is a risk you would have undermined the trial.”
In pictures: Ricin enough to kill 12,000 people and safety goggles found in Rudakubana’s bedroom
08:30 , Barney DavisMerseyside Police have released images of the dangerous items in Axel Rudakubana’s possession, which includes the toxin ricin which was discovered in his bedroom.
Three referrals to Prevent made after killer researched school shootings and Colonel Gaddafi
07:00 , Alexander ButlerThe court heard following this incident, The Acorns School refused to have Axel Rudakubana on the premises and instead sent schoolwork home for him to complete. He did not do so, however.
Prosecutor Deanna Heer said in July 2020 he returned to school under two to one supervision.
In February 2021 he was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and in April 2021 he received a formal education and healthcare plan (EHCP).
During this period, three referrals were made to Prevent: – In November 2019 a referral was made because the defendant had been researching school shootings during an information technology class. – In February 2021 a referral was made following reports that he had uploaded to Instagram two images of Colonel Gadaffi. – In April 2021 a referral was made because he had been found researching the London Bridge terror attack.
Teenager told police he ‘wanted to stab someone’ in 2022
06:00 , Alexander ButlerLiverpool Crown Court heard that following reports of incidents at home, the defendant stopped attending school in May 2021.
Later, in March 2022, a place was found for him at Presfield High School, but he did not attend.
Ms Heer said: “On March 17 2022 he was reported missing. He was found by the police in possession of a small kitchen knife. He said that he wanted to stab someone so that he would get into trouble and his Tik Tok account, which contained embarrassing videos that he was unable to delete, would be closed down by the police.
“He said he had also thought about poisoning people and/or had tried to make poison for the same reason.”
Rudakubana used hockey stick to attack another pupil
05:00 , Alexander ButlerAxel Rudakubana has previous convictions for assault, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a bladed article over an incident at his old school, Liverpool Crown Court heard.
The prosecutor said on 11 December 2019, the defendant booked a taxi to take him to The Range High School, where he used a hockey stick to attack another pupil.
When the police were called, a kitchen knife was found in his backpack.
He was charged with and pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a bladed article and a referral order was imposed.
Violent images of dead bodies, beheadings and rape found on his devices
04:00 , Alexander ButlerOfficers found violent content on Axel Rudakubana’s devices including images of dead bodies, victims of torture, beheadings, cartoons depicting killing, violence and rape or which insulted or mocked different religions, including Islam, Judaism and Christianity, Liverpool Crown Court heard.
Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC said there were numerous images relating to different wars and international conflicts, including in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Korea, Iraq and the Balkans.
The court heard a number of documents were found which also related to war, weapons and genocide.
These included documents called “A concise history of Nazi Germany,” “Death and survival during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda,” and “Examination of punishments dealt to slave rebels in two 18th Century British Plantation Societies”.
Rudakubana had document on ‘how to carry out a knife attack’
03:00 , Alexander ButlerPolice found a document called “Military studies in the Jihad against Tyrants: The Al-Qaeda Training Manual” on a tablet belonging to the defendant, the court heard.
Ms Heer said of particular relevance were; a passage referring to assassination and mass murder; a section called “Assassinations Using Cold Steel: A: Assassinating with a Knife” which gave advice on where the “enemy” should be struck in order to kill; and “Assassinations with Poison,” which gave information on the production of ricin and explained that it is considered one of the most deadly poisons.
The prosecutor said: “The manual had been downloaded on three occasions in 2021, meaning that it was already in the defendant’s possession when he purchased the castor beans from which he produced the ricin in early 2022. If that is right, then he clearly knew just how deadly a substance it was before he produced it.
“Furthermore, by the time he went to The Hart Space in 2024, the defendant was in possession of instructions in the manual on how to carry out a knife attack with lethal force.”
Man who confronted Axel Rudakubana moments before Southport attack had no idea of ‘unspeakable’ horror ahead
02:00 , Alexander Butler
Man who confronted Rudakubana before Southport attack had no idea of horror ahead
Rudakubana researched car bombs, detonators and nitric acid amid fixation with violence
01:00 , Alexander Butler
Southport killer Axel Rudakubana researched car bombs, detonators and nitric acid
Southport killer Axel Rudakubana gloated he was ‘glad they’re dead’ after murdering three children
00:01 , Alexander Butler
Southport killer Axel Rudakubana gloated he was ‘glad they’re dead’ after murders
Tears, shock and relief: Inside the courtroom where Southport killer Axel Rudakubana was jailed for 52 years
Thursday 23 January 2025 23:41 , Alexander Butler
Inside the courtroom where Southport killer Axel Rudakubana was jailed for 52 years
How a violence-obsessed teen unleashed horror at Southport children’s dance class
Thursday 23 January 2025 23:00 , Alexander ButlerAxel Rudakubana: How violence-obsessed teen unleashed horror at kids’ dance class
Watch: Axel Rudakubana sentenced to 52 years for Southport murders
Thursday 23 January 2025 21:38 , Alexander ButlerHome secretary says ‘cowardly, evil’ crimes horrified UK
Thursday 23 January 2025 20:21 , Jane DaltonHome secretary Yvette Cooper said Axel Rudakubana’s “truly horrendous, cowardly and evil crimes” had horrified the UK as she repeated pledges to ensure lessons were learnt from the horror.
“The whole country has been horrified beyond words by these truly horrendous, cowardly and evil crimes,” she said.
“We will always remember Bebe, Elsie and Alice, and the happiness they brought to their families in their short lives.
“And we will remember too the strength and bravery shown by the survivors of this horrific attack, and the astounding courage of those who rushed towards danger and undoubtedly saved many more lives.
“The police and emergency services who responded that day deserve our eternal gratitude, and we thank too the investigators and prosecutors who have worked so hard for justice, and Mr Justice Goose for presiding over these hugely difficult proceedings.
“We have vowed to get the answers the country deserves about how this horror was allowed to happen and to ensure that lessons are learnt.
“I will set out further details of the independent public inquiry soon, but for today all our thoughts are with the families enduring this unimaginable pain, and the example of strength and courage they have provided to us all.”
Grieving father says killer should have been tried as adult
Thursday 23 January 2025 20:04 , Jane DaltonA parent of one of the children who survived the attack said Rudakubana’s crimes were so horrific he should “rot in jail” and the “law needs changing”.
“Life should mean life,” the father told The Sun. “He’s an adult and should be tried like one.”
Rudakubana will have to serve the minimum term of his sentence, which will be subject to a review by the Parole Board before he could ever be considered for release.
Taking into account the 175 days he has already served on remand, the court heard this meant he will be required to serve 51 years and 190 days before this can happen.
Watch: Southport killer Axel Rudakubana's journey to Taylor Swift dance class where he murdered three girls
Thursday 23 January 2025 19:45 , Alexander ButlerRudakubana’s 52-year sentence to be reviewed
Thursday 23 January 2025 19:19 , Alexander ButlerSouthport killer Axel Rudakubana’s 52-year jail term is set to be reviewed after concerns were raised it was unduly lenient.
The 18-year-old was jailed for life after murdering three young girls and stabbing several others in an act of “extreme violence” at a Taylor Swift themed dance class.
He was sentenced in absence after failing to return to the dock, and will now spend decades behind bars for “the most extreme, shocking and exceptionally serious crime”.
Rudakubana avoided a whole life tariff - which would ensure he could never leave prison - because he was nine days shy of being 18 when he committed the atrocity.
Southport’s Labour MP Patrick Hurley has now asked the Attorney General to review the sentence as “unduly lenient”.
Attorney General Lord Hermer and Solicitor General Lucy Rigby now have 28 days to decide whether to refer the sentence to the Court of Appeal.
Watch: Southport murders ‘most harrowing’ investigation Merseyside Police ever seen
Thursday 23 January 2025 19:00 , Alexander ButlerDirector of public prosecutions should resign, Farage says
Thursday 23 January 2025 18:46 , Alexander ButlerReform called for Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson to resign. Party leader Nigel Farage said: “The judge made clear in his sentencing that Alex Rudakubana had a detailed interest in genocides and massacres, and that he was in possession of an al Qaida manual.
“This barbaric and senseless attack was clearly both political and ideological. Many crimes of much less severity have been declared as terrorism within 24 hours of the incident taking place.
“The British public needs to have confidence in the CPS and our police forces. Tens of millions of British citizens will find it incomprehensible how the CPS decided this was a non-terror incident and maintained that position.
“Those in positions of power have to be accountable and responsible for their actions. Stephen Parkinson, the Director of Public Prosecutions at CPS, should now do the right thing and resign for CPS’ negligence in this case.”
‘We hope it haunts you every day’: Southport families speak out at killer’s sentencing
Thursday 23 January 2025 18:36 , Alexander Butler
‘We hope it haunts you’: Southport families speak out at killer’s sentencing
Southport killer’s sentence called into question amid calls for law changes
Thursday 23 January 2025 18:18 , Alexander ButlerThe Southport killer’s record-high 52-year sentence will be reviewed amid criticism it was not long enough after mounting calls for law changes to see child criminals like him die in jail.
Axel Rudakubana was handed one of the highest minimum custody terms on record after carrying out the sadistic attack at a Taylor Swift-themed class in July aged 17.
Southport’s Labour MP Patrick Hurley said the sentence was “not severe enough” and he had asked the Attorney General to review the sentence as “unduly lenient”, adding: “We need a sentence that represents the severity of this crime that has terrorised the victims and their families.”
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, who was backed by shadow home secretary Chris Philp in her calls, said there was a “strong case” for amending the law to allow for whole life orders to be imposed on people aged under 18 in some cases, which the Conservatives “will start to explore”.
Southport killer gloated he was ‘glad they’re dead’ after murdering three children
Thursday 23 January 2025 17:59 , Alexander ButlerSouthport killer Axel Rudakubana gloated he was ‘glad they’re dead’ after murders
Why wasn’t Southport killer Axel Rudakubana given a whole-life order?
Thursday 23 January 2025 17:50 , Alexander ButlerWhy wasn’t Southport killer Axel Rudakubana given a whole-life order?
Reform MP calls for death penalty debate
Thursday 23 January 2025 17:39 , Alexander ButlerReform UK MP Richard Tice has called for a debate on the death penalty after Southport killer was jailed for 52 years for murdering three girls aged between six and nine.
Mr Tice said:“I don’t think we should be afraid of having a national debate on important big issues like this. I think that many people in the country would like at least a debate.”
Starmer pays tribute to victims’ families
Thursday 23 January 2025 17:32 , Alexander ButlerPrime Minister Keir Starmer 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.
“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.”
Tory leader calls for law change to keep killer in jail for whole life
Thursday 23 January 2025 17:08 , Holly EvansTory leader Kemi Badenoch said there was a “strong case” for amending the law to allow for whole-life orders to be imposed on people aged under 18 in some cases, which “Conservatives will start to explore”.
In a post on X, she said: “Axel Rudakubana should never be released from prison. His age means he has not been given a whole-life sentence, despite the countless lives he destroyed on that dreadful day, and the legacy of mistrust he has sown across the country.
“There is a strong case here for amending the law to give clear judicial discretion to award whole-life sentences to under 18s, which Conservatives will start to explore.
My statement on the sentencing of Axel Rudakubana. pic.twitter.com/vtqtqMRpUn
— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) January 23, 2025
“My heart goes out to the victims and their families. None of us can imagine your pain and we owe you justice.”
She added that while the Government’s announcement of an inquiry was welcome it “falls short of what is needed” and insisted it was “absurd that we are debating online knife sales more than we are integration and how we safeguard our society from extreme ideologies and violence”.
The Conservatives will “challenge the Prime Minister on the task he has to ensure that those we welcome into Britain share our values, contribute positively to our society, and how we make sure this continues through multiple generations,” Ms Badenoch said.
“Keir Starmer’s statement on Monday was disappointing. He sidestepped the core issues, focusing instead on legal definitions of terrorism. By avoiding these hard truths he inadvertently politicises our response to this tragedy.”
Police officers line streets ahead of Rudakubana’s departure
Thursday 23 January 2025 17:04 , Holly EvansPolice officers lined the road outside the court as members of the public waited for Axel Rudakubana to leave following his sentencing.
Three police vans parked up at the side of the road leading to the underground van entrance of the court building.
Sentence given to Rudakubana one of the highest on record
Thursday 23 January 2025 17:00 , Holly EvansThe minimum term Axel Rudakubana must serve in custody for the Southport attack is one of the highest on record and is thought to be the longest punishment handed to a killer of his age.
Mr Justice Goose detained the 18-year-old for life with a minimum term of 52 years.
Taking into account the 175 days he has already served on remand, Liverpool Crown Court heard this meant he will be required to serve 51 years and 190 days before he can be considered for release by the Parole Board.
Manchester Arena bomber Hashem Abedi, 23, was handed a record-breaking 55-year minimum term in 2020 for 22 murders and attempted killings. The terrorist orchestrated the 2017 atrocity when he was 20.
Prior to that, the longest minimum term imposed on a terrorist in Britain is believed to have been 50 years in the case of David Copeland.
The 22-year-old was given six life sentences for targeting Brick Lane, Soho and Brixton in 1999 in a 13-day nail bombing campaign that left three people dead and 139 injured.
CCTV shows Southport killer ordering taxi to former school one week before murders
Thursday 23 January 2025 16:55 , Holly EvansSouthport MP asks Attorney General to review ‘unduly lenient’ sentence
Thursday 23 January 2025 16:55 , Holly EvansSouthport’s MP has asked the Attorney General to review Axel Rudakubana’s sentence as “unduly lenient”, saying it is “not severe enough”.
In a post on social media, Patrick Hurley said: “The sentence handed down today is not severe enough, it is not long enough for the crimes committed, we need a sentence that represents the severity of this crime that has terrorised the victims and their families.
“I have submitted a review to the Attorney General to review the sentence, the undue leniency does not reflect the crimes committed and a review is required to uphold public confidence in our justice system.”
Killer has ‘shown no signs of remorse’
Thursday 23 January 2025 16:51 , Holly EvansVicki Evans, senior national co-ordinator for Prevent and Pursue at Counter Terrorism Policing, said: “The perpetrator has shown no signs of remorse. He has not explained the motivation of his actions. And we have found no evidence to date that explains why he chose to attack those children or that event.
“The absence of evidence of a motivation means that these acts have not met the legal definition of terrorism. But, to be clear, that does not make the horrendous acts any less terrifying or terrorising for those impacted and the whole community.
“In the same way, we must now consider how we work together in the future to tackle this challenge of individuals who are fixated with all types of extreme violence, both within and beyond the counter terrorism system.
“The perpetrator had contact with a range of services, including the counter terrorism Prevent system.
“Following these attacks, we have worked rapidly with the Home Office to commission a review of this contact and we welcome the announcement of a public inquiry which will examine all services’ previous contact with him.
“The same determination that we put to the investigation is now being applied to examining how the range of agencies involved did not come together to effectively understand and identify and deal with the risk that he posed.”
Dashcam footage from the taxi shows killer entering dance class
Thursday 23 January 2025 16:48 , Holly Evans
Pictured: The weapons kept by killer at his family home in Lancashire
Thursday 23 January 2025 16:43 , Holly Evans
Why wasn’t Southport killer Axel Rudakubana given a whole-life order?
Thursday 23 January 2025 16:40 , Holly EvansSouthport killer Axel Rudakubana been jailed for a minimum of 52 years after pleading guilty to murdering three young girls in a frenzied knife attack last year.
Rudakubana, 18, stabbed and killed the girls aged between six and nine with a 20cm-long kitchen knife as he ambushed a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, Merseyside.
Sir Keir Starmer vowed the attack would be a “line in the sand” for Britain while announcing a public inquiry into the atrocity after the killer admitted to 16 offences.
However, despite the lengthy sentence Rudakubana was not given a whole life order. The Independent takes a look at what one is below, and why the killer has avoided one.
Read the full article here:
Why wasn’t Southport killer Axel Rudakubana given a whole-life order?
Rudakubana had ‘twisted and unhealthy’ obsession with violence
Thursday 23 January 2025 16:34 , Holly EvansChief Constable of Merseyside Police Serena Kennedy said: “Today Axel Rudakubana has been sentenced for his cowardly and vicious attack on the young girls who had gathered at Hart Space on July 29, 2024, to have some fun in their school holidays.
“They had come together for a Taylor Swift-themed morning to enjoy dancing, singing and making friendship bracelets in honour of their idol.
“Those girls – who range in age from six to 13 – were the polar opposite of a calculating teenager who carried out the harrowing and atrocious, pre-meditated attack.
“The victims were enjoying a day of youthful innocence untainted by twisted and unhealthy fascination with violence that drove Axel Rudakubana to carry out the atrocities he’d planned in the day’s leading up to July 29. His terrifying attack resulted in the deaths of Bebe, Elsie and Alice.
“According to prosecution counsel today, two of those children suffered particularly horrific injuries, which can only be only describe as sadistic in nature. He also attempted to kill eight other children as they escaped, and two adults and traumatised the remaining children who had managed to escape physically unharmed.
“Since his arrest he has shown no remorse for his actions.”
Family members held hands and hugged as sentence announced
Thursday 23 January 2025 16:28 , Holly EvansSome family members could be heard to take an audible breath as the sentence was announced.
Relatives held hands and hugged each other but remained silent as the judge announced the remaining sentences.
Breaking: Axel Rudakubana jailed for minimum of 52 years
Thursday 23 January 2025 16:26 , Holly EvansAxel Rudakubana, 18, has been detained at Liverpool Crown Court for life with a minimum term of 52 years for the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and the attempted murder of eight other children in Southport.
Judge ‘must accept’ no evidence of a terrorist cause
Thursday 23 January 2025 16:22 , Holly EvansMr Justice Goose has said he “must accept” that there was no evidence Axel Rudakubana had any terrorist cause, but added his culpability is “equivalent to terrorist matters, whatever its purpose”.
He said that after some of the injured girls escaped he “returned to continue his sustained and brutal violence against two of the youngest of those children, stabbing them multiple times.”
He said: “That demonstrates how determined he was to cause the maximum suffering he could”.
Rudakubana likely to never be released, says judge
Thursday 23 January 2025 16:19 , Amy-Clare MartinMr Justice Goose says he will impose a life sentence with a “very substantial” minimum term “which will mean that he will serve almost the whole of his life in custody”.
“I consider it is very likely he will never be released and will spend his whole life in custody,” he said.
Families will ‘never recover’ from deaths of three young girls
Thursday 23 January 2025 16:18 , Holly EvansMr Justice Goose said: “I have read each of the victim personal statements and many have been read out to the court.
“They are all deeply moving. The harm Rudakubana has caused to each family, each child and to the community has been profound and permanent.
“For the families of Elsie, Bebe and Alice, they will never recover from what happened to their daughters.
“For those children and adults he attempted to murder their lives will never be the same.”
He added: “In just 15 minutes, Rudakubana murdered three children and attempted to murder eight other children and two adults.
“He was prevented from murdering more only by the escape of other children.”
Judge says killer had ‘settled determination’ to carry out mass murder of young girls
Thursday 23 January 2025 16:14 , Holly EvansMr Justice Goose said on the day of the attack there were 26 children at the event, “all of whom were happy and enjoying themselves”.
He said Rudakubana targeted these children for the “horrific extreme violence he was intent upon”.
“At 11.45am he arrived, walked into the building up the stairs where he could hear the sound of happy children, in his mind with the intention to murder as many of them as he physically could.
“He wanted to try and carry out mass murder of innocent, happy young girls.”
The judge said: “It was such extreme violence… it is difficult to comprehend why it was done.
“I am sure Rudakubana had the settled determination to carry out these offences and had he been able to, he would have killed each and every child – all 26 of them.”
Judge begins sentencing
Thursday 23 January 2025 16:10 , Holly EvansMr Justice Goose has begun his sentencing remarks.
He said: “Many who have heard the evidence summarised by the prosecution in this hearing and have seen CCTV played with a view outside of the building might describe what he did as evil.
“Who would dispute it?
“But, at any view it was at least the most extreme, shocking and exceptionally serious crime.”
He outlined the injuries suffered by the children.
Axel Rudakubana is being sentenced in absence after failing to return to the dock.
Court heard ‘something changed’ in killer at the age of 13
Thursday 23 January 2025 16:05 , Holly EvansHis defence lawyer Mr Reiz said: “What we have in the evidence in this case are detailed records from his school and those compiled by other organisation who have had contact with the defendant once he started to exhibit signs of deviant thinking.
“Those records confirm that he had difficulties with social communications and interaction in-line with his diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, but the available evidence demonstrates that his time at primary school, and indeed during the first two years of secondary school, were unremarkable.
“Something changed in him when he reached the age of 13.”
Girl stabbed is now ‘self-conscious’ of her scar and in state of paranoia
Thursday 23 January 2025 16:00 , Holly EvansThe mother of two girls who survived the attack said the day “changed our lives as a family forever”.
In a statement read in court by prosecutor Deanna Heer KC, the woman said: “This was meant to be a fun summer event and the girls couldn’t wait to take part. It was a normal day, like any other, it didn’t cross our minds that we should be worried about anything happening to them.
“They both love Taylor Swift and were looking forward to spending time with their friends and the teachers.
“The whole day feels so surreal, like a blur. It was the worst day of our lives. Both our daughters suffered horrendous injuries at the hands of this one person.”
The woman said one of her daughters now has “a complete lack of confidence” and has become “severely self-conscious of her scar”.
“She tries her best to wear her scars with pride, however I have caught her crying about the way she looks and she asks me why this has happened to her,” the statement read.
She said the girls “are unable to be left alone for even a matter of minutes” since the attack and are “in a state of paranoia constantly”.
The woman said: “As parents, we feel helpless, we feel guilty. We have to live with the guilt that we sent our children to that event on that day, which will now impact them for the rest of their life … trust has broken between us and our children, they constantly question us about whether they are going to be safe. It feels as though they blame us for taking them there that day.”
She added: “(The girls) are worried that this man will walk the streets again. This is something they constantly speak about and it petrifies them.”
