Victims' strength is awe-inspiring amid coward killer's final insult
Plus: How you can still support those affected
Hello and welcome to the fifth edition of The Southport Lead.
When we launched this newsletter, it was never the intention to focus heavily on crime and, as with Wednesday’s edition, I had intended to focus on something completely different. But the events of this week meant it was only right to change that plan.
That being said, I’ve done my best to avoid going into any great detail on the what happened on July 29 and this newsletter does not contain a picture of the killer or any of the videos which have been released post-sentencing.
Instead, I want to focus on and pay tribute to the enormous - and often difficult to comprehend - bravery of the victims as they told their stories and sent a message both to the attacker and the judge sentencing him.
I attended Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday and while it was deeply infuriating that Rudakubana’s tantrums spared him from having to face up to his victims and their families, the chasm between the impact of their powerfully brave personal statements and his cowardly actions cannot be adequately described in words.
The newsletter also contains some ways we can still help and support those who were affected by the tragedy - if there’s any I’ve missed please let me know using jamie@thelead.uk and I’ll update the list.
If you’re feeling exhausted by this week’s news, the memories it’s brought up and the thoughts of the pain those families have endured, that is entirely understandable and you are far from alone. It is entirely reasonable to find all of this difficult to comprehend.
As a cowardly killer ran away, his victims showed real strength
Having committed the most evil attacks imaginable, Axel Rudabunaka compounded his victims’ pain, misery and trauma by forcing them to prepare for a trial in which they would have to relive that horror of July 29.
Although the day by day examination of what happened was spared when he finally admitted his guilt, he found time for one final insult by throwing the most pathetic tantrum when he was due to face justice. In repeatedly crying “I’m in pain” to disrupt the judge and prosecutor, he showed a self-pity and lack of humanity which contrasted completely with those who lives he’d torn apart.
His victims should have been able to know he would hear their words as they told of the impact of what he did but instead the coward cried and moaned to force his way out of the dock.
In his absence, the families of the children he attacked, the women whose class he targeted and the young girls’ themselves made their voices count. Some spoke in the court, some had their statements summarised by prosecutor Deanna Heer KC, all made sure they used their voices to devastating effect.
Amid the depictions of physical and mental injuries, the lasting trauma on the minds of previously care-free children, and the painful reality of survivors’ guilt, it was impossible not to be moved to tears as people who kept a dignified silence for six months were finally able to speak.
Naturally, the most devastating words came from the parents explaining how they’ve been left trying to continue their lives having suffered the worst loss conceivable. Alice’s parents Alexandra and Sergio’s statement detailed just how impossible that has been:
“It feels like we're stuck in a 5D horror movie with moving pictures and moments being relived. It has fear, anxiety, loss, and terror all over it and it's playing on loop. We can't get out. Some moments are easier than others, but every day is the same. Alice is not here when we wake up and she will never be.
“There’s a sense of loss of foundation too. Alice was our purpose for living, so what do we do now? Our home holds family memories and sometimes we call Alice's name only to be met by a shot to the heart, known grief. Grief has taken away any sense of meaning we once had and replaced by constant numbness.
“It's hard to feel happy, to enjoy the music and to see the good in life when the centre of our universe has been taken. Going out doesn't feel as safe and any attempts to lighten up, a smile and a laugh are quickly met by regret and guilt. How can we ever smile if Alice is not here?
“Our house is no longer a home without Alice in it. Walking past her room often brings a sense of panic and fear.”
A statement from Elsie’s mum was directed at the man who stole her life in brutal circumstances but couldn’t bear to listen to consequences of the actions he planned so meticulously. It said:
We are not going to stand here and list everything you have taken away from us, because we refuse to give you the satisfaction of hearing it. We will not let you know anything about her because you don't deserve to know the extraordinary person she was. You know what you have done and we hope the weight of that knowledge haunts you every single day.
As well as the huge physical and emotional suffering which came as a result of the attack, the victims’ statements also showed extraordinary human spirit which left those watching in complete awe. Not least one of the attacked girls who, when asked if she wishes she hadn’t been there on July 29, explains that if she hadn’t been, ‘someone else might have got stabbed and killed’ so she’s glad she stopped that. As her dad said:
“Our daughter is strong. Our daughter is positive. Our daughter is beautiful. Our daughter loves and is loved. Our daughter sees the best in everyone. Our daughter is everything that Axel Rudabunaka is not. She is our hero”
Another who displayed maturity and emotional strength far beyond her years was the now 14-year-old girl who was present that day and came to court to describe in vivid detail both the blind panic as the attack played out and the lasting effects ever since. These include the constant fear which now lingers and the frequent replaying of that day’s events.
In words which should have been heard by the person responsible for the attack and directly addressed to him, she said:
“No sane person could do that, it's sickening what you did, going in there knowing you're going into a room full of defenceless children. Give me a reason for what you did. Arming yourself with a weapon and stabbing children. I hope you spend the rest of your life knowing that we think you're a coward.
“I was in school and I found out through the teachers that you pleaded guilty. I didn't know what to say. I was so angry. I am still so angry. I feel like this whole time, we have had this build up of stress and anxiety preparing for the trial and then you just changed your mind.
“Some of us are physically getting better, but we will all have to live with the mental pain from that day forever.
“I want you to know that you changed our lives forever, but whilst you live behind bars alone, I will make sure that our family will do our best to move forward.”
The parents of another child who was left in critical condition as a result of the attack similarly discussed both the initial horror and the lasting trauma along with the ongoing defiance their daughter shows against all of this.
“We could never be prouder of what she has achieved. He has completely failed to destroy her spirit, her amazing sense of humour, her fierceness and her pure, beautiful heart. We are honoured to be her parents.”
How to help and support those affected
For many people it’s easy to read all the above feeling a sense of dread and frustration. In Southport, as we saw in the aftermath a community came together and there was nationwide support for the families and the town as a whole. That feeling is still there. Thanks to Andrew Brown for compiling this list of ways people can help. I’ve also added a list of ongoing fundraisers below which have been set up for specific people/causes - if I’ve missed any do let me know so I can update it.
Southport Strong Together Appeal
The Community Foundation for Merseyside, in partnership with Sefton Council and Sefton CVS, has activated an urgent fundraising appeal for all those affected by the knife attack in Southport.
The money donated to this Appeal in the first instance will prioritise:
Individuals experiencing bereavement and or serious injury directly impacted by the events on 29th July 2024; people experiencing immediate hardship and psychological injury; plus community relief through local, regional and / or national charities.
Southport Hesketh Round Table fundraiser
This appeal has been set up by the local round table, which fundraises for the local community throughout the year.
They said: ‘As an integral part of this community, we at the Southport Hesketh Round Table feel the deep impact of this tragedy, knowing many of those involved personally.
‘Please donate whatever you can so we can try and build back up the lives affected by this horrific incident.’
Nominate a local hero
Do you know someone involved in what happened in Southport who deserves to be nominated for a top award?
The Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards have 13 categories available including Courage Award, Unsung Hero and more. Nominations are open.
Come and visit Southport
The best way to support Southport? Come and see us!
This is a friendly, welcoming, seaside town with a huge community spirit that has been left devastated by this tragedy over many months.
Now the court case is finally over, and sentencing has happened, we want to encourage people back and enjoy all that Southport has to offer for all the right reasons. You’re guaranteed a warm welcome.
Dedicated fundraisers
Public knowledge shows impact of misinformation
Analysis by Jamie Lopez
You may be familiar with YouGov’s work in polling people ahead of elections. In fact, the group carries out a very wide range of public questionnaires ranging from the serious to the very silly.
This week, it published its findings of two surveys of people’s understanding of the Southport attack and it showed a starting ignorance of the facts despite the wealth of information which is now available.
For example, a quarter of Brits now falsely believe that is a Muslim, an immigrant to the UK, and was motivated by religious terrorism. None of these statements are true but were widely circulated in the immediate aftermath of the attack.
While these claims were widely linked to the riots which followed the killings, a worrying finding is that such misperceptions have not only persisted since his arrest, but have increased.
A survey conducted in mid-August, two weeks after Rudakubana was first named, found that 11% of Britons falsely believed that he was a Muslim, and 12% thought that he was an immigrant to the UK. Since that time, these figures have doubled, with 24% now saying he is a Muslim, and 21% an immigrant.
Digging deeper into YouGov’s finding shows a large variation in the extent to which the misinformation is believed depending on political party support (eg Reform voters are considerably more likely to believe these facts).
How to challenge these beliefs is a different question altogether but it if a case as high profile of this can be so widely misunderstand even after all the facts are made public, the challenge for those fighting the spread of misinformation is greater than ever.
News in headlines
🥧 'We're the last of our kind but we're not going anywhere' (Liverpool Echo)
🎾 New padel tennis courts set for Southport, Formby and Crosby as Sefton builds on game’s growing popularity (Stand Up For Southport)
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What’s on this week
By Andrew Brown
We’re all going on a bear hunt! We can’t wait for this one - 10 colourful bear sculptures arriving in Southport from next weekend!
Southport Jazz Festival meanwhile brings 10 shows across three days and nights.
Here are some of the many things you can enjoy in Southport this week:
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