Axel Rudakubana's behaviour branded 'disruptive' after attempting to ‘exert control’ of sentencing proceedings

Justice Goose said he had been reassured Rudakubana was fit to attend and the court would continue until 1pm when there would be a break.

As he was escorted out of the hearing, a member of the public gallery shouted "coward" at the defendant.

Detailing the nature of Rudakubana at the proceedings, policing and crime commentator Danny Shaw told GB News that the 18-year-old was "unusual" in causing "such a fuss" at his hearing, having "not spoken during previous proceedings".

Shaw explained: "It is unusual in a sentencing hearing for a defendant to make such a fuss, shouting and screaming like that.

"The judge did give him quite a lot of opportunity, either to quieten down or to try and continue the proceedings, hoping that he would just stop shouting. But eventually, the judge had to remove him from the courtroom to allow the proceedings to continue."

Shaw claimed that Rudakubana's intention appeared to be that of "exerting control" of proceedings by causing so much disruption.

Shaw suggested: "It's very evident that he hasn't spoken during the proceedings apart from entering those guilty pleas. But suddenly, when it comes to a hearing at which all the details are going to be laid out about this most appalling massacre that he carried out, that he tries to disrupt the proceedings.

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"He was trying to exert control, it seemed to me over the proceedings, and the judge actually said, 'I'm in control of these proceedings, they're going to continue and you're going to have to leave the courtroom'."

Discussing how the sentencing will proceed following Rudakubana's outbursts, Shaw revealed that there will be an "opportunity" for the teenager to return to the courtroom for the remaining duration of proceedings.

He added: "The judge will give him every opportunity to try to come back into court. There's going to be a break, and then there will be an opportunity for him then to come back into court.

"I would have thought another possibility is to ensure that he watches the proceedings on a video link - I don't know whether that's technically possible at Liverpool Crown Court, but I would have thought that might be an option."

Stressing how it is "important for the justice system" that Rudakubana is present for his sentencing, Shaw admitted that although the Southport killer is "disruptive", he should "be there during the sentencing".

Shaw concluded: "It's very, very important, in terms of the importance of the criminal justice system, that the defendant is there during the sentencing, and is there when he or she is sentenced.

"It's a really important moment, but clearly, there comes a point when they're so disruptive that they have to be removed."

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced an inquiry into the case following Rudakubana’s guilty pleas, including how he "came to be so dangerous" and why Prevent "failed to identify the terrible risk" he posed to others.