No 10 has confirmed it will review how to make killers face their victims’ families in court after cowardly Axel Rudakubana refused in a final ‘twisted act’.
A spokesman for the Prime Minister said the government is ‘clarifying the law’ to end the practice but added it would be for the court to decide on a case-by-case basis.
It follows Keir Starmer earlier this week telling the mother of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, who was shot dead in her home in August 2022, he intended to bring in the new power.
Ms Korbel had previously met with former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who also pledged a review, but had been unable to follow through when the Conservatives lost power.
Yesterday Southport child killer Rudakubana shouted ‘I’m ill’ at the top of his voice as he tried to avoid being in court for the brutal murders of three young girls.
Asked if the Prime Minister had reflected on violent Rudakubana’s disruptive behaviour, a No 10 spokesman said: ‘Killers who refuse to look grieving families in the eye as judges hand down their sentences are beyond cowardly.
‘It is a twisted act of tormenting victims further.
‘We are clarifying the law to end this. However, attendance may not always be appropriate.
Axel Rudakubana disrupted court proceedings multiple times during his sentencing – repeatedly claiming to the judge he was too unwell
A court sketch of Axel Rudakubana depicting the moment he began complaining to the judge that he was feeling unwell. He has since been jailed for at least 52 years for murdering three children and attempting to kill eight others, as well as two adults
Cheryl Korbel has campaigned for criminals to be required to attend their sentencing hearings after Cashman refused to show face (pictured with Sir Keir Starmer in August 2023)
‘For instance, when attendance is purposefully disruptive to proceedings or displays offensive behaviour.
‘It is for the court, which will always have discretion to make whatever decisions are in the best interests of justice and the victims.’
Rudakubana, 18, had inflicted countless knife wounds on his victims – as well as eight other children and two adults who survived.
He was branded a ‘coward’ by their families as he was taken from the dock having dramatically complained of chest pains.
The 18-year-old tried twice to avoid being sentenced for the July 29 killings of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar.
After being removed for the second time, Rudakubana refused to re-enter the court. Lawyers acting for the triple-killer explained: ‘The defendant does not want to re-enter the room and if he is forced he will be disruptive.’
Rudakubana was sentenced to life in prison, for a minimum of 52 years with Lord Justice Goose saying he was unlikely to ever be released.
His refusal to attend court put him in the company of killers like Lucy Letby, Thomas Cashman and Jordan McSweeney.
His refusal to behave during his sentencing hearing puts him in the same category of unapologetic criminals as Lucy Letby – who refused outright to leave her cell for sentencing
Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, was one of the three children killed in the knife attack in Southport
Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, was among the three little girls killed in the attack in Southport
They, and several others in recent years, have refused to appear in the dock to hear their sentences after being convicted.
Their indignance has prompted calls for a change in the law to ensure criminals who commit the most serious crimes are seen to properly face justice.
After meeting with Cheryl Korbel to discuss the issue this week, Sir Keir said his Government would ‘legislate on this at the first chance’.
Having previously met with the grieving mother as Leader of the Opposition, Starmer told her: ‘It’s really important to meet today because we met 17 months ago and I said two things: we will support the previous government on this, and if we get into power, we’ll make sure this happens.
‘That’s the promise I made to you and it’s a promise I’m going to keep, and that’s why this forthcoming legislation is so important.
‘We have put this in the first King’s Speech so we will legislate on this at the first chance and we should have it before the summer.’
But Ms Korbel later suggested to ITV News she was not yet hopeful the law change would be made despite meeting the Prime Minister.
‘I am not going to my hopes up too high now, because we have already been knocked down once,’ she told the broadcaster.
Olivia Pratt-Korbel was shot in the chest by Thomas Cashman as he pursued a drug dealer
Gunman Thomas Cashman likewise refused to leave his prison cell after being convicted of murdering nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel
In September 2022, the Crown Prosecution Service published guidance on how to deal with defendants’ refusals to attend court.
For trials in Crown Courts – for the most serious offences – it recommends proceeding with trials only if the defendant has ‘waived the right to attend’ and that it will be fair despite their absence, ideally with a lawyer representing them in their stead.
For sentencing, the current guidelines state courts should only proceed as long as the defendant has a legal representative, or has previously been jailed.
Prior to being taken to court to face the judge, Rudakubana had been rushed to hospital directly from prison after reportedly requiring unspecified ‘medical attention’, a report denied by police.
But the teen child killer continued causing a scene, seemingly in an attempt to avoid facing justice.
Dressed in a grey prison-issue tracksuit and a blue face mask, he shouted: ‘I feel ill. I need to speak to a paramedic, I feel ill. You’re not giving me any support, judge. I feel ill.’
Mr Justice Goose told the teenager: ‘Shouting from the dock is not going to make this happen any quicker. If you remain quiet you will be able to see someone.’
After the 18-year-old replied: ‘I’m not going to remain quiet I am in pain,’ Mr Justice Goose said back: ‘You’ve chosen this moment to say this. These proceedings are being conducted under my control Mr Rudakubana – do you understand? Not yours.’
Mr Justice Goose ordered the murderer out of court. A family member shouted ‘coward’ at him as he was led away.
He refused to keep quiet upon his return, shouting again: ‘I really feel ill, I need to be seen by a paramedic.’
The judge then sent him out for a second time after which time the court heard the teen had been seen by paramedics and certified ‘fit’ to attend his sentencing.
Lawyers for the killer said he was refusing to return to court and would be ‘disruptive’ if he was forced to do so.
Absent from the court room, the twisted teenager was ultimately handed 13 life sentences
