‘I can't give myself compassion or accept praise, as how can I live knowing I survived when children died’

THE dance teacher who was injured as she tried to shield her young pupils from Axel Rudakubana's knife rampage has told of her mental agony since surviving the horror. Leanne Lucas, 36, said in court yesterday: “How can I live knowing I survived when children died?”

- By Paul Jeeves and Chris Riches

Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were killed in the attack at the Hart Space in Southport, Merseyside, where Ms Lucas was leading a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.

Rudakubana also attempted to murder Ms Lucas, businessman John Hayes who rushed to the scene when he heard the girls' screams, and eight other children, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

A 14-year-old girl who survived the attack described it as a “living nightmare”. Reading her victim impact statement to Liverpool Crown Court via video link, she addressed Rudakubana, saying: “The thing I remember most about you is your eyes. You didn't look human, you looked possessed.”

She told of being stabbed in the arm and back, and that all she could hear were screams. She added: “I was so scared of what you were doing and I was in a blind panic.

“I ran out on to the landing and there was a group of girls huddled and I began just screaming for the girls to get down the stairs.

“I was physically pushing them down the stairs to get them out of the building and get away from you. I knew I was running for my life. I needed to try to get everyone out and to safety – that was my first thought.”

Describing the aftermath of the attack, the girl became emotional as she said: “Physically I've healed but my scars remain as a reminder of what you did to me, to us all. No sane person could do that.

“It's sickening what you did, going in there knowing you're going into a room full of defenceless children.

“Give me a reason for what you did. Arming yourself with a weapon and stabbing children. I hope you spend the rest of your life knowing we think you're a coward.”