Post by : Rameen Ariff

The father of Axel Rudakubana, who received a life sentence after killing three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, told an inquiry about his son’s mounting aggression and volatile behaviour before the atrocity.

Axel, 17 at the time of the killings that touched off some of the most serious unrest seen in Britain for years, had a history of explosive outbursts, Alphonse Rudakubana said during testimony to the UK inquiry.

Alphonse described violent threats made against him, recalling occasions when Axel attacked him and warned, “If you get me out of here, it may take a day, it may take a week, maybe a month, maybe years, I will kill you and trust me I will kill you.”

He also traced a wrenching shift in his son’s demeanour. “At the start of school he was a lovely child. By the time they returned him to us he was broken, disappointed, traumatised — completely changed,” Alphonse said, acknowledging he shared some blame for what unfolded.

Axel was expelled from secondary school in 2019 after admitting he carried a knife. He was then enrolled in a pupil referral unit for youngsters removed from mainstream education. A teacher there testified that Axel confessed to bringing the blade with the intention of using it — an account Alphonse confirmed, saying the family felt “anguished” and “ashamed.”

The inquiry probed the family’s dealings with mental health services and the government’s Prevent programme. Alphonse said he and his wife reported several violent incidents but opted not to notify authorities about others, fearing their son would be taken into care. “I had no authority as a father,” he conceded, describing his loss of control over Axel, including his online behaviour.

Chaired by a retired senior judge, the inquiry can compel witnesses and will issue recommendations that, while not legally binding, could influence future policy.

The Southport attack — which claimed the lives of three young girls — underlines concerns about untreated youth violence and the need for early, effective mental health and safeguarding intervention.

#Global, #World