In a heart-wrenching court session, the anguish of the families affected by the Southport knife attack was laid bare as Axel Rudakubana, 18, received his sentence.

On July 29 of last year, Rudakubana fatally stabbed six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar during a Taylor Swift-themed dance party in Southport, Merseyside. He also attempted to murder eight other children, along with the class instructor Leanne Lucas and bystander Jonathan Hayes.

The sentencing hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday afternoon included victim impact statements from the families, with Rudakubana being removed from the courtroom twice by Mr. Justice Goose for interruptions.

In their statement, Alexandra and Sergio Aguiar, Alice’s parents, expressed that their 'dream girl' had 'shattered our souls'. They recalled how Alice was excited for the dance workshop and had planned to play with a friend afterward, stating, "It was a perfect plan for a perfect day."

They continued tragically, "In a matter of minutes, our worlds were shattered by the devastating attack on our Alice. Our hopes were dashed after her 14-hour battle for life. We lost our lives when she lost hers."

"Living without Alice is not living at all. It's a state of permanent numbness," they said.

Jenny Stancombe, Elsie's mother, also shared a powerful statement, describing the loss of her daughter as losing their 'best friend through an act of pure evil'.

Mrs. Stancombe highlighted her resolve not to give Rudakubana the satisfaction of detailing their loss, stating, "You know what you have done and we hope the weight of that knowledge haunts you every day."

She condemned Rudakubana’s actions as 'beyond contempt', noting the deliberate choice of a vulnerable location without adult supervision. "This was premeditated, and we were robbed of the opportunity to protect our girls," she said.

Class instructor Ms. Lucas remarked that she was 'surviving for Alice, Elsie and Bebe,' emphasizing that Rudakubana targeted defenseless women and girls.

Statements from the families of surviving children were equally impactful, reflecting ongoing trauma. The father of a nine-year-old survivor declared his daughter a hero, highlighting her strength and positivity in the aftermath of the attack.

A 14-year-old survivor described the horrifying moment as a 'living nightmare,' condemning Rudakubana directly for his actions and labelling him a coward.

Rudakubana pleaded guilty to possessing a knife on the day of the attack, which he had purchased online. He also admitted to producing ricin and possessing materials related to terrorism.

The court proceedings continue, as Rudakubana's actions have left an indelible mark on the lives of many families and the community.