Axel Rudakubana was expected to be sentenced to life in prison at Liverpool Crown Court for the murders of three young girls and attempted murders of eight other children in Southport in July.

Rudakubana, who was 17 at the time of the attack, entered an unexpected guilty plea for the murders of three children at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.

A High Court judge ordered child-killer Axel Rudakubana to be removed from the dock as the full horror of the “sadistic” murders of three children in Southport were outlined. Liverpool Crown Court was told the 18-year-old said “I’m glad they’re dead” as he was held in a custody suite after killing the three girls at a Southport dance class.

Police have denied reports suggesting Axel Rudakubana was taken to hospital before his sentencing at Liverpool crown court - he is due to be sentenced over the murders of three young girls

Southport killer Axel Rudakubana said “it's a good thing those children are dead” after his arrest, a sentencing hearing has heard.

The 18-year-old is being sentenced today for murdering three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed summer holiday dance class last July.

Axel Rudakubana, 18, faces a sentencing hearing Thursday at Liverpool Crown Court in England over the July 29 attack.