A British teenager who murdered three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event was jailed for at least 52 years on Thursday, for an atrocity prosecutors said was so violent it appeared he had tried to decapitate one of the victims.

Axel Rudakubana, 18, pleaded guilty to murder and attempted murder after attacking children and two adults at a dance class last July.

I consider it likely he will never be released,” judge says, adding that Axel Rudakubana must serve a minimum of 52 years in detention for his “extreme violence”.