The Latest Breaking News from Southport

Some have questioned why Axel Rudakubana’s brutal attack was not deemed a terrorist offence

Downing Street says whole-life terms cannot be extended to killers under age of 18 because of international law

Rudakubana was jailed for a minimum of 52 years and was told by the judge he will likely never be free again

eSafety commissioner expresses ‘great sadness’ that Axel Rudakubana viewed video before murdering three girls in the UK, noting ‘clear link’ between online material and real-world violence

Arguments about evil risk distracting us from practical questions that could save lives in the future, says Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff

On 29 July 2024, 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana left his family home in Banks, Lancashire and using a fake name ordered a taxi to Southport.

One story dominates the front pages of Friday’s newspapers.

A priest who led Southport victim Alice da Silva Aguiar's funeral after she was murdered by Axel Rudakubana fought back tears as he paid tribute to the nine-year-old after her killer was sentenced.

One MP for Nigel Farage’s party, Lee Anderson, posted a picture of a noose on his X account, adding: ‘No apologies here. This is what is required!’, while prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said Rudakubana would ‘likely never be released’

The family of Elsie Dot Stancombe described the ‘compassion and sincerity’ they have received since the July 29 attack.

Investigating the Southport murders committed by Axel Rudakubana was the "most harrowing" large-scale investigation ever dealt with by Merseyside Police, the Senior Investigating Officer of the investigation concluded after the 18-year-old was sentenced on Thursday, 23 January.