In a harrowing incident that unfolded in Southport, a police sergeant's swift and courageous actions prevented further tragedy during a brutal knife attack. Sergeant Greg Gillespie, armed with only his baton, didn't hesitate to confront Axel Rudakubana, the perpetrator of the horrific crime.

The scene was the Hart Space dance studio, where a children's dance class was underway. Rudakubana's rampage resulted in the tragic deaths of three young girls: Alice Aguiar, 9; Bebe King, 6; and Elsie Stancombe, 7. The bravery displayed by Sergeant Gillespie and other officers in the face of such horror has been widely recognized.

Sergeant Gillespie's body camera captured the tense moments leading up to his confrontation with Rudakubana. As he approached the studio, a member of the public urgently warned him, "You need a f****** gun mate, that's doing nothing." Despite the clear and present danger, Gillespie pressed on without hesitation.

Arriving on the scene within ten minutes of the initial report, Sergeant Gillespie wasted no time, taking a mere six seconds to assess the situation and spring into action. His immediate concern was the safety of the children trapped inside the studio with the attacker.

Driven by the knowledge that a "boy with a knife had stabbed numerous persons" and that there were "numerous casualties," Gillespie bypassed a fast-response paramedic to reach the dance studio at 11:56 am on July 29th of the previous year. His unwavering commitment to protecting the innocent was evident in every move he made.

Parents frantically trying to collect their children flagged down Sergeant Gillespie as he stopped his car on Hart Street. He quickly instructed them to direct the arriving paramedics to a child lying on the floor, whom he believed was not breathing. This quick thinking ensured that the injured received immediate medical attention.

Window cleaner Joel Verite, who had bravely carried a young girl to safety after she was dragged back into the building by Rudakubana, led Sergeant Gillespie to the studio. Verite's courage and quick thinking were instrumental in saving at least one child from further harm.

As Sergeant Gillespie prepared to enter the studio, he updated his control room, stating, "We are going in to detain him." It was at this point that Joel Verite warned him that Rudakubana was armed with a blade, emphasizing that a baton might not be sufficient. Verite's warning highlighted the immense risk Sergeant Gillespie was about to undertake.

Despite the grave danger, Sergeant Gillespie requested backup, specifically an officer equipped with a Taser. Moments later, two other officers arrived to support him. One remained behind, while Gillespie and another officer rushed into the studio to confront Rudakubana with "very, very little delay."

Nicholas Moss KC, counsel to the inquiry, emphasized the speed and decisiveness of Sergeant Gillespie's actions, stating, "There was no significant pause there at all to formulate some sort of complex plan." This underscores the instinctual bravery and dedication to duty that defined Sergeant Gillespie's response.

The first officers on scene did not wait for armed officers to arrive, demonstrating their commitment to saving lives in the moment. The scene was chaotic, but Sergeant Gillespie stepped into the center of it.

Upon confronting Rudakubana, Sergeant Gillespie and his colleague shouted at him to drop the knife. Rudakubana complied, and the officers immediately pushed him to the ground and arrested him, with the assistance of PCSO Timothy Parry. The coordinated effort of the officers ensured that Rudakubana was quickly apprehended.

One of Sergeant Gillespie's colleagues had a Taser drawn as they approached Rudakubana, providing an additional layer of security during the apprehension. Sergeant Gillespie then kneed Rudakubana and used his baton to "take him to the ground." Two more officers arrived to secure Rudakubana.

The tragic events of July 29th took the lives of Alice Aguiar, Bebe King, and Elsie Stancombe, who were attending a Taylor Swift-themed class. Axel Rudakubana was later jailed for a minimum of 52 years for his heinous crimes.

In addition to the murder charges, Rudakubana was also sentenced to 12 years in prison for producing poison. The inquest revealed that he had ordered a variety of items from Amazon, including scales, glassware, filter paper, and safety goggles, starting on January 19, 2022. These items were used to extract the deadly poison, Ricin, from castor beans, following instructions he found in an Al-Qaeda manual.

At just 15 years old, Rudakubana used his own bank card to purchase the items, but had them delivered to a neighbor in his father's name and to an Argos store for pickup. The items were later discovered in a box in his bedroom after the attack.

The inquiry revealed that the castor beans Rudakubana acquired could produce five lethal doses if ingested, or between 2,547 and 12,690 doses if inhaled after further purification. This highlights the immense danger posed by Rudakubana's actions.

In March 2022, he ordered a traditional Mongolian horsebow with carbon archery arrows on eBay, which were also found in his room. These weapons further demonstrated his intent to cause harm.

Rudakubana also ordered a five-liter plastic jerry can to be delivered to his father's home, along with bottles and matches. These items were discovered in the living room, with matches taped to some of the bottles, indicating Rudakubana was preparing to make Molotov cocktails.

A week before the attack, Rudakubana attempted to persuade his father to purchase petrol for him, even though he did not own a car or a moped. This attempt to acquire petrol further underscores his sinister intentions.

In May 2022, Rudakubana inquired about purchasing crossbows from Tactical Archery. He also contacted Merlin Archery, requesting "discreet packaging," although he ultimately did not order the items. This desire for discretion suggests he was aware that his actions were suspicious.

In January 2023, Rudakubana ordered a "party pack" of ring pull smoke grenades, typically used for special effects at firework displays. These grenades, along with other weapons, were part of Rudakubana's disturbing arsenal.

Rudakubana also acquired three machetes, two of which were reportedly intercepted by his parents. The presence of these weapons further illustrates the extent of his violent preparations.