Grandfather of Bebe King speaks publicly for first time since Southport tragedy

Six-year-old Bebe was one of three little girls who had excitedly gone to a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at the Hart Space and never came home. Nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar and 7-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe were also killed in the attack on July 29, 2024.

Axel Rudakubana was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 52 years, after admitting to their murders last year.

Now, Bebe King’s grandfather has told 5 News he doesn’t feel anger towards the convicted killer.

In an exclusive interview shown on 5 News at 5 today (March 17) Michael Weston King told host Dan Walker: “I don’t really think about him, I don't think that the family do really, but on the occasions that I do, I don't feel anger. I kind of feel sorry for him really.

“Sorry that he wasn't looked after better and I don’t just mean from a parental point of view but obviously there was a lot of red flags in the years leading up to what happened.”

Rudakubana surprised everyone by changing his pleas on what was supposed to be the first day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

Following his guilty pleas, it was revealed that Rudakubana was referred to the government anti-extremism scheme Prevent three times before the murders and excluded from Formby Range High School after he brought a knife to school and attacked another child with a hockey stick.

Michael Weston King continued: “Bebe's gone in the physical sense. He's not going to have a life. The two things don't equate anyway really do they, but that's where we are and nothing's going to change that really.”

He also discussed the family’s reaction to the violent protests that erupted the day after the murders. He said: “We were absolutely appalled. I mean especially what was happening specifically in Southport the next day, because those same policemen who'd had to deal with what happened with the girls.

“I'm sure some of them will still be traumatized for the rest of their careers what they went through that day, the next day they're having bricks thrown at them by idiots who are trying to attack the local mosque."

Recalling his treasured memories of Bebe, Michael said: “She was a very joyous person. Lauren, Bebe's mum, described her as pure light and she was a very bubbly, effervescent girl … she was an all-round singing, dancing showgirl.”

On the aftermath of Bebe’s murder he added: “To walk past a newsstand and see every single paper with your granddaughter's face on the front. It's all the things that you've seen over the years from a distance and thought, ‘oh, how terrible’, but then got on with your day, but then to suddenly be right in the middle of that and it happening to you. It's just surreal really. It almost doesn't feel real.

“But there is still a part of me feeling like she's around but I feel her presence I know Ben and Lauren (Bebe’s parents) feel a presence… sounds a bit spiritual, but I kind of feel that the spirit of Bebe is still very much within the family and within all of us and that will never go.”

Singer-songwriter Michael has now produced an album called ‘Nothing Can Hurt Me Anymore’, to pay tribute to his granddaughter, in a bid to come to terms with her senseless loss.

Talking of the experience of recording the musical tribute, he said: “It was incredibly cathartic. As a songwriter if you want to express it or exorcise it then you know putting it into song is a great way to do it.

“When I look back on my time with her, and it will be those moments in the garden, listening to music, dancing, doing her performances. Bebe's stage name was Sally Sparkles that was her performing name and so hence the closing song on the record just refers to that.

“Not long before we lost her we went on an Easter egg hunt in some woods just outside Southport and she was wearing a studded country shirt and a little sort of cowboy hat. We just have to remember the great joy that we got from her and she brought to us all for those six years she was with us.”