Axel Rudakubana has been removed from court after shouting and telling the judge: “I need to see a paramedic because I feel ill.”
Rudakubana, 18, from Lancashire, is facing sentencing after he pleaded guilty to murdering three girls on Monday, on what was due to be the first day of his trial.
Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, died following the attack at the Taylor Swift-themed class a small business park in the seaside town.
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But as the hearing got underway, Rudakubana told his lawyer he had chest pains, was too ill to continue and would like to see a paramedic. He continued shouting about his “chest hurting” with the judge, Mr Justice Goose, telling him: “Shouting from the dock is not going to make this any quicker.”
Stanley Reiz KC defending said: “He has not eaten for a number of days, He has drunk very little over that period of time.
“There was concern about his ability to be in a high pressure situation.”
Mr Justice Goose said he had been reassured Rudakubana was fit to attend and the court would continue until a break at 1pm.
Rudakubana shouted: “I can’t remain quiet. I haven’t eaten for ten days. I feel ill. I’m not going to remain quiet.”
When the judge tried to carry on with the case, Rudakubana shouted: “Don’t continue.”
He was then told to leave the dock. A family member shouted “coward”, while other relatives shook their heads as he left.
Mr Justice Goose said he would be brought back in to be sentenced later in the day and the prosecution opening continued in his absence. An officer entered court a few minutes after he left, and said medical staff were “happy with his state of fitness” but wanted a second opinion from a doctor.
‘Run’: Yoga instructor felt knife in her back
Rudakubana also admitted 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a kitchen knife over the attack in the Merseyside town on 29 July.
Eight other children, aged between seven and 13, were injured in the mass stabbing at The Hart Space, along with yoga instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes.
In her witness statement, Ms Lucas said she “felt a knife go into her back” and everyone ran towards the door of the dance class. She recalled Rudakubana chasing after them as the children ran down the stairs.
Ms Lucas screamed at the children to “run away, run away”.
CCTV footage shows a child trying to leave the building before being pulled back in by Rudakubana, the court heard.
‘Good thing those children are dead’
The prosecution says Rudakubana told police “good thing those children are dead” and “I’m so glad, I’m so happy” after the attack.
Rudakubana was 17 years old at the time of the attack, which has not been declared terror-related, according to Merseyside Police.
He further pleaded guilty to charges of producing ricin and possessing an al Qaeda training manual allegedly found in searches of his home in Banks, Lancashire, in the following days.
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