A leading psychologist has described the Southport child killings as “absolutely awful and particularly disturbing” while offering insight into the mindset behind such attacks.
Speaking on GB News, Dr Naomi Murphy explained that children who develop a fascination with violence typically come from backgrounds of vulnerability.
“Children who become fascinated by violence are typically children who felt very vulnerable and feared for their own life,” she said.
Dr Murphy noted there were multiple warning signs in the case, including incidents that prompted school officials to attempt home visits alongside police.
Dr Naomi Murphy explained what might have contributed to Rudakubana’s twisted mindset
GB NEWS / MERSEYSIDE POLICE / PA
Dr Murphy highlighted a significant turning point in Rudakubana’s development, particularly around age 13.
“That does correspond with puberty,” she noted, suggesting this period marked a “dramatic change” in his behaviour.
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Rudakubana was sentenced to a minimum term of 52 years in prison today
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The psychologist emphasised the importance of investigating early life experiences that might have contributed to his later actions.
“I would definitely be wanting to know what kind of things have happened to this man earlier in his life,” she told GB News.
Dr Murphy drew a direct connection between childhood experiences and violent behaviour in later life.
“The fact that he has operated through the prism of hatred suggests he has felt and experienced hate,” she explained.
Dr Naomi Murphy joined Martin Daubney on GB News
GB NEWS
She emphasised that secure upbringings typically prevent such violent tendencies.
“Children who are raised in homes where they feel protected and loved don’t grow up to be the type that commits this act,” Dr Murphy said.
She added that such extreme violence typically stems from significant trauma, stating: “You wouldn’t expect this kind of fascination with violence to occur without some degree of disturbance or trauma.”
Rudakubana, 18, was sentenced to a minimum of 52 years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court for the murders of three young girls at a Southport dance class.
The attack occurred at a Taylor Swift-themed class on July 29, 2024, claiming the lives of Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, Bebe King, 6, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7.
He pleaded guilty to 16 offences, including the attempted murders of eight other children, a dance instructor and a businessman.
Additional charges included possessing a knife, producing ricin, and having terrorist-related materials.
Judge Mr Justice Goose noted there was no evidence of political, religious, racial or ideological motivation behind the attacks.