The cowardly tactics of Axel Rudakubana as court outbursts show undeniable truth
Axel Rudakubana had barely spent five minutes in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court when proceedings were abruptly halted. The lanky teenager sat hunched and contorted behind a glass panel, pleading with the security guards behind him in an almost childlike voice.
"I'm not fine, I feel ill", Rudakubana whimpered, "Judge, I need to speak to a paramedic because I feel ill."
The 18-year-old, from Banks, Lancashire, had been voicing similar complaints from his prison cell since the early hours of the morning. However, upon medical examination, he was deemed perfectly healthy, or at least fit enough to attend court for his sentencing for the murder of three children.
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Rudakubana's alleged discomfort appeared to be self-inflicted, according to his counsel Stanley Reiz KC. He informed High Court judge Mr Justice Goose that his client hadn't eaten "for a number of days" and had "drunk very little".
Rudakubana continued his outburst, insisting, "I can't remain quiet because I'm ill judge, I haven't eaten for 10 days, I'm not gonna remain quiet" - before being addressed by the defence silk at the back of the court.
Following this impromptu conference, Mr Reiz informed the court: "The defendant says he is experiencing chest pains. He says he feels too ill to continue and would like to see a paramedic. It is important that this case continues, but those are my instructions."
However, the judge, considering the medical evidence, decided that the hearing should proceed and instructed Rudakubana to "be quiet", reports the ECHO. The murderer, dressed in a grey prison tracksuit and wearing a surgical face mask - just as he had when he killed three little girls six months prior - had other plans.
"I can’t continue with this judge. No, no, it can’t continue judge. I need to speak to a paramedic. I need to speak to a paramedic. My chest is hurting. I didn’t choose a moment to feel pain. It’s not my fault. I need to speak to a paramedic judge. Stop ignoring me. Don’t continue, don't continue, don't continue."
In stark contrast, his victims and their families in the public gallery showed remarkable restraint. There was only one word spoken in response to Rudakubana's stream of self indulgence, but it perfectly cut to the core of his actions - both in court on Thursday and at the Hart Space in Southport on July 29 2024. "Coward", the man called in a measured but defiant tone as the child killer departed stage left, having been ordered to leave the dock by a judge who had finally given up on attempting to keep the teen in the dock in check.
But this was not the last that the court would see of Rudakubana. In the afternoon session, after Mr Reiz had assured his lordship that he was "willing to come back into court" and "understood that it was important not to disrupt proceedings", he assumed his position once again.
It came as no surprise that his silence did not last for long. Within minutes, Rudakubana began shouting again: "I need to be seen again by the paramedic. Judge, judge, judge. I need to be seen by the paramedic. I feel ill."
At this, he was removed from the dock for a second time and would not be seen again. The dock was empty as Justice Goose handed him a life imprisonment with a minimum term of 52 years behind bars. We will likely never know what his reaction was, but one of his comments hung in the air for a lot longer than most of his diatribe.
"I didn't choose a moment to feel pain". It was a comment that showed a staggering lack of self awareness, even by his own low standards. He may well not have "chosen to feel pain" and, in reality, almost certainly wasn't feeling any pain at all.
But Bebe King certainly did not choose to feel pain. Elsie Dot Stancombe did not choose to feel pain. Alice da Silva Aguiar did not choose to feel pain. Child A, Child B, Child C, Child D, Child E, Child F, Child G and Child H did not choose to feel pain. Leanne Lucas and John Hayes did not choose to feel pain. Axel Rudakubana robbed them of that choice when he indiscriminately and systematically stabbed all of them, some of them many, many times.
He will have more than half a century in jail to reflect upon his evil actions. Whether he ever comes to regret them or feel a shred of remorse, only time will tell. Given his current state of being mired in pity for himself, the signs only point one way.