Teen charged with murder after Taylor Swift-themed event convicted

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Teenager charged with murder of 3 children convicted after stabbing Taylor Swift
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The teenager charged with murder after a stabbing in a Taylor Swift-themed dance course in the UK has been judged.

Eighteen-year-old Axel Rudakubana was sentenced to 52 years in prison, according to Associated Press.

Judge Julian Goose had called the incident “the most extreme, shocking and unusually serious crime,” according to the paper. Goose further said Rudakubana could not be sentenced to life without parole as he was under 18 at the time of the crime.

A mass stabbing took place at a Swift-themed dance and yoga class in Southport, England in July 2024. Local police arrested Rudakubana, who was 17, that same month and charged him with murder after three children died. Several were injured.

Taylor Swift reacts after stabbing at Swift-themed event

Related: Taylor Swift reacts after stabbing at Swift-themed event that left 2 dead

Taylor Swift shared her condolences after a stabbing left two children dead at a dance class themed to her music. “The horror of last night’s attack in Southport keeps washing over me and I’m just completely in shock,” Swift, 34, wrote via her Instagram story on Tuesday, July 30. “The loss of life and innocence, (…)

The event was unrelated to the 35-year-old pop star, who sent her condolences.

“The horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport washes over me constantly and I’m just completely in shock,” Swift, who brought her Era’s Tour to England in June and August 2024, it wrote at the time via its Instagram Story. “The loss of life and innocence and the terrible trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families and first responders.”

She concluded: “These were just little kids at a dance class. I’m at a complete loss as to how I’m ever going to convey my sympathy to these families.”

Members of the British royal family have also spoken out about the tragedy.

“As parents we cannot begin to imagine what the families, friends and loved ones of those killed and injured in Southport today are going through,” Prince William and his wife, Princess Kate Middletonwrote in a statement on social media. “We send our love, thoughts and prayers to all those involved in this horrific and despicable attack.”

Taylor Swift apparently meets 2 stabbing victims at Southport dance class

Related: Taylor Swift meets 2 girls stabbed in Southport: Report

Taylor Swift is known for going the extra mile for her fans, and a recent Eras Tour stop at Wembley Stadium is further proof. “You drew stars around my scars,” read the caption of a TikTok video uploaded by Sami Foster, a mother of young Swifties, on Sunday, August 18. “The biggest thanks to @Taylor (…)

They added: “Thank you to the emergency workers who, despite being met with the most horrific scenes, showed compassion and professionalism when your community needed you most.”

William, 42, and Kate, 43, later visited first responders who helped attack victims in October 2024. It was the Princess of Wales’ first public appearance since completing chemotherapy. (Kate was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in early 2024 and is now in remission.)

William’s father, King Charles III, also held a private audience with survivors and their families at Clarence House.

The royals also teamed up with the Blue Light Card Foundation to set up a national police and well-being service, making donations to those in need of psychological and physical rehabilitation after the attack.