Father of Southport Attacker Requests Confidentiality Over Family's Personal Information

The father of 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana, who attacked a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in July 2024, has testified at a public inquiry that he requested confidentiality over his family's personal information not be shared with the youth offending team. This request was made in November 2020, when Rudakubana was still involved with children's social care services and working with Lancashire's Youth Offending Team after a 2019 conviction.

Key Takeaways:

Axel Rudakubana, now 18, was convicted of attacking a pupil with a hockey stick at his former school in Formby in December 2019 and given a referral order.
Rudakubana worked with Lancashire Youth Offending Team after his conviction.
His father, Alphonse Rudakubana, sent a Whatsapp message to a Child and Family Wellbeing Service in Lancashire in November 2020, requesting that his family's personal information not be shared with the youth offending team.
Alphonse Rudakubana expressed concerns over the sharing of his family's personal information, stating that the family expected a "high degree of confidentiality and sensitivity" from the service.
The service, which is voluntary, provides early help services to families.
The inquiry is sitting at Liverpool Town Hall and is investigating the involvement of social services with Axel Rudakubana and his family.

Statistics:

Axel Rudakubana was 18 years old at the time of the attack in July 2024.
His conviction for attacking a pupil with a hockey stick occurred in December 2019.
The Child and Family Wellbeing Service in Lancashire received a Whatsapp message from Alphonse Rudakubana in November 2020 requesting confidentiality over his family's personal information.

Sources:

The inquiry into an attack on a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in July 2024 continues at Liverpool Town Hall.
The Child and Family Wellbeing Service in Lancashire is a voluntary service that provides early help services to families.