Axel Rudakubana, 18, admitted to murdering three young girls and attempting to murder eight others at a dance class in Southport, England. He also pleaded guilty to producing ricin and possessing terrorist information.
An 18-year-old man accused of murdering three young girls at a dance class in Southport , England, dramatically confessed to the attack on the first day of his trial. Axel Rudakubana, from Banks, Lancashire, was facing 16 charges, including three counts of murder, related to the July 29 incident at The Hart Space. Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, lost their lives during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class .
Rudakubana, who was 17 at the time of the attack, initially pleaded not guilty but admitted to the murders, as well as the attempted murders of eight other children and two adults, the dance instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes. He also confessed to producing ricin, a deadly biological toxin, and possessing information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism. The terrorism offense relates to a PDF file titled 'Military Studies In The Jihad Against The Tyrants, The Al Qaeda Training Manual' which he allegedly possessed between August 29, 2021, and July 30, 2024. The ricin and the document were discovered during police searches of Rudakubana's home in Old School Close, which he shared with his parents who are originally from Rwanda.Accompanied by an intermediary, Rudakubana appeared in court dressed in a grey tracksuit and a surgical mask. He did not stand when prompted by the court clerk and judge upon his entrance and remained silent when asked to confirm his identity. His defense lawyer, Stan Reiz, then told the judge, 'I am instructed for the indictment to be put again.' As the clerk read out each of the 16 counts, Rudakubana responded with a simple 'Guilty' after each one. The court was informed that the families of Rudakubana's victims were absent when he entered his guilty pleas. Mr. Justice Goose acknowledged this, stating, 'I am conscious of the fact the families are not here today.' Deanna Heer KC, prosecuting, explained that the families had not attended as they expected the trial to open on Tuesday. Mr. Justice Goose expressed his apologies to them, stating that 'for that reason they weren’t here to hear him enter his pleas.' He said that Rudakubana will be sentenced on Thursday. 'You have now pleaded guilty to this indictment and to each of the charges upon it. The next stage is sentence. That will take place on Thursday at 11am,” he told Rudakubana. He also advised Rudakubana to keep in touch with his barristers and added, “You will understand it is inevitable the sentence to be imposed upon you will mean a life sentence equivalent will be imposed upon you. “I will have to complete the sentencing process on that occasion.” Outside of court, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Ursula Doyle commented, “This was an unspeakable attack – one which left an enduring mark on our community and the nation for its savagery and senselessness. “At the start of the school holidays, a day which should have been one of carefree innocence; of children enjoying a dance workshop and making friendship bracelets, became a scene of the darkest horror as Axel Rudakubana carried out his meticulously planned rampage. “It is clear that this was a young man with a sickening and sustained interest in death and violence. He has shown no sign of remorse. “The prosecution was determined to prove his guilt and I am deeply grateful that today’s plea has spared the families at the heart of this case the pain of having to relive their ordeal through a trial. “Today, our thoughts are with all those whose lives were altered by what happened on that day. “Most of all, we think of Elsie, Bebe, and Alice – the three beautiful young girls whose lives were cut short – and wish strength and courage to the families who loved and cherished them.” Riots erupted across the country following the Southport murders, with mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers targeted. Online misinformation spread, alleging the assailant was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK on a small boat.
Murder Terrorism Ricin Southport Dance Class Trial Guilty Plea
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