Father Tells Inquiry of Axel Rudakubana’s Growing Violence Before Southport Killings

Post by : Raina Nasser

The father of Axel Rudakubana — the 17-year-old later jailed for life for the knife attack that killed three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport — gave evidence about his son’s escalating aggression and volatility before the incident.

Axel carried out the killings last year, an act that preceded some of the most serious disturbances Britain has seen in decades. In testimony to the public inquiry, Alphonse Rudakubana described repeated episodes of violent behaviour and direct threats aimed at family members.

Alphonse recounted episodes of physical assault and menacing remarks from Axel, saying his son would strike him and issue threats that he would kill him if removed from a situation — comments the father said left the family fearful.

He also outlined a marked change in Axel’s demeanour over time. Alphonse said his son had been a well-regarded child at the start of school but returned to the family later as someone profoundly altered, traumatised and withdrawn. He conceded he bore some responsibility for what followed.

Evidence heard at the inquiry noted Axel’s expulsion from secondary school in 2019 after admitting he had a knife, after which he attended a pupil referral unit for excluded pupils. A teacher at that unit told the inquiry that Axel had admitted bringing the weapon to school with an intention to use it — an account his father said the family found distressing and shameful.

The proceedings also examined contact with mental health services and the government's Prevent programme. Alphonse said he and his wife reported certain violent incidents but did not notify authorities about every episode because they feared their son would be removed from their care.

Alphonse told the inquiry he felt he had lost control as a parent, including over aspects of Axel’s online life, and that he had limited authority to manage his son’s behaviour.

The inquiry, led by a retired senior judge with powers to compel witnesses, will publish findings that could influence policy, though its recommendations would not carry the force of law.

The Southport stabbings, which claimed the lives of three young girls, remain a grim example of the potential consequences of unresolved youth violence and underline calls for earlier intervention and strengthened mental health support.