STORY: The British teenager who killed three young girls in the English town of Southport was jailed for at least 52 years on Thursday.

Eighteen-year-old Axel Rudakubana admitted to killing the girls and stabbing 10 others at a Taylor Swift-themed event last July.

Prosecutor Deanna Heer told Liverpool Crown Court that Rudakubana was obsessed with violence and genocide and had seemingly attempted to decapitate one of his victims.

Judge Julian Goose said he could not impose a full life sentence, as Rudakubana was 17 when the attack took place, but he was unlikely ever to be released.

"His culpability for this extreme level of violence is equivalent and its seriousness to terrorist murders, whatever his purpose. Whether his motivation was for terrorism or not, misses the point."

Rudakubana was removed from the dock twice, after shouting that he was unwell and refused to return to hear his sentence.

He had been diagnosed with autism but his lawyer said he did not have a mental disorder that explained his actions.

Speaking after the sentencing hearing, Detective Chief Inspector, Jason Pye, welcomed the ruling.

"Although no outcome at court today could possibly ease the pain and trauma for the victims and their families, I hope that knowing Rudakubana will spend a considerable amount of time in prison will at least bring some comfort."