I watched you stab someone then you came for me... you stabbed me in the arm then stabbed me in the back

A BRAVE teenager branded Axel Rudakubana a coward as she recalled how the monster had glared into her eyes as he stabbed her repeatedly.

- HOLLIE BONE and PHIL CARDY

The 14-year-old girl said she was determined to read her victim impact statement at the sentencing of the killer, who refused to stay in the dock to listen to it, because she felt it important.

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told how a sunny day last July turned into a "living. nightmare" in the seaside town.

Speaking live via a video link. she said: "The dance club was full of laughter and excitement all morning with the girls full of life.

"My nightmare started when I saw you. I thought you were playing a joke. I saw you in your green hoodie and face mask.

"The first thing I remember about you is your eyes. You didn't look human, you looked possessed.

"I watched you stab someone and then come for me. It was like slow motion.

COWERING

"You stabbed me in the arm and instinctively I turned and you continued to stab me in the back, although I didn't feel it at the time.

"All I could hear was screams." The girl described finding at huddle of terrified children cowering in the stairwell.

She told how she screamed at them to move, pushing them down the stairs to get away.

She said: "I knew I was running for my life. I needed to try to get everyone out and to safety.

"When we were in the car park. I remember thinking we need to get away, as you weren't going to stop. I knew from your eyes you wanted to try to kill us all."