Southport killer Axel Rudakubana jailed for 52 years for attack – live updates

Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy called the attack “cowardly” and “vicious”.

In a statement released after the verdict, she said: “(The girls) had come together for a Taylor Swift-themed morning to enjoy dancing, singing and making friendship bracelets in honor of their idol.

“These girls – who range in age from six to 13 – were the opposite of the calculating teenager who carried out the harrowing and cruel, premeditated attack.”

Referring to the details provided by the prosecutor today, Kennedy added that two of the children who died “suffered particularly horrific injuries”.

She says documents and images found on his devices show he had a “longstanding obsession with violence, killing and genocide.

“We can say that from all the documents, no ideology was revealed, and that is why this has not been treated as terrorism.”