1-minute News | 17-year-old British teenager sentenced to 52 years after stabbing three children

According to CNN reports, a 17-year-old British teenager of Rwandan descent brutally stabbed three young girls to death and injured dozens of others. On Jan. 23 local time, the court handed down a verdict sentencing him to 52 years in prison as he was under 18 at the time of the crime. This incident shocked the entire United Kingdom, sparking concerns across society about youth crime and campus safety, and igniting the anger of countless British people, with the majority believing that the perpetrator should have received a life sentence.

The incident took place in July 2024 during a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in the town of Southport in northern England, where the 17-year-old teenager carried out the stabbings, resulting in the deaths of three girls aged 6, 9, and 8, and injuring several others. Witnesses reported that the assailant randomly attacked students on the campus in a scene of chaos. The police quickly intervened, subdued the perpetrator, and made the arrest. The British prosecutor revealed that the perpetrator, named Axel Rudakubana, committed the acts with extreme cruelty, stabbing one girl 122 times leading to her death, and then stabbing the friend of the girl 85 times resulting in her death.

This incident not only raised concerns among British parents about social and campus safety but also exacerbated racial tensions in British society. Many British citizens criticized the government for inaction on immigration and the growing crime issues. Some online users pointed out that Rudakubana and his family sought political asylum in the UK eight years ago due to the Rwandan genocide, with the perpetrator's father previously holding a military position during the ethnic cleansing in Rwanda. Some blamed the British immigration authorities for allowing such individuals to enter the country.

Furthermore, some individuals expressed dissatisfaction with the BBC for allegedly being vague about the perpetrator's age and ethnicity at the outset of the incident to avoid racial issues. Some British netizens suggested that Rudakubana should face the death penalty, as each year spent in prison by him would cost taxpayers £50,000.

Following the incident, the British royal family extended condolences to the families of the victims and inquired about the case with the police and officials at all levels. The UK government stated that it will implement a series of measures to enhance campus security, including increasing campus security personnel, installing monitoring equipment, and conducting mental health education. Additionally, the government plans to strengthen efforts in the prevention and punishment of youth crime to ensure societal safety and stability.

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