Axel Rudakubana, 17, appeared in court via videolink and did not plead to the charges. He is accused of murdering three children and attempting to murder eight others at a dance class in Southport.
Not guilty pleas have been entered on behalf of the teenager accused of killing three children at a dance class in Southport after he failed to speak in court. Axel Rudakubana, of Banks, Lancashire, appeared via videolink at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday (December 18) and failed to reply when he was asked to enter pleas to 16 charges he faces. Judge Mr Justice Goose said he was satisfied the defendant could hear what was being said and not guilty pleas would be entered on his behalf.
Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, died following the attack at the Taylor Swift-themed dance class at The Hart Space on a small business park in the seaside town shortly before midday on July 29. The defendant, who was 17 at the time of the attack, is charged with their murders as well as the attempted murder of eight other children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes. He is also charged with possession of a knife on the day of the attack, production of a biological toxin, ricin, on or before July 29 and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism. The terrorism offence relates to a PDF file entitled Military Studies In The Jihad Against The Tyrants, The Al Qaeda Training Manual, which he is said to have possessed between August 29 2021 and July 30 2024. The ricin, a deadly poison, and the document were found during searches of the home on Old School Close that he shared with his parents, who were originally from Rwanda. A trial is set for January 20 and is expected to last up to four weeks
CRIME MURDER COURT UK TERRORISM
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Axel Rudakubana's next court appearance over Southport stabbings postponedThe 18-year-old is accused of murdering Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Da Silva Aguiar during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class
Read more »
Southport stabbings: Axel Rudakubana, 18, denies murdering girlsHe has not guilty pleas entered on charges of murdering three girls and attempting to kill 10 others.
Read more »
Next court appearance for Southport stabbings suspect Axel Rudakubana delayedThe 18-year-old is accused of murdering three young children at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class
Read more »
Southport Stabbings: Axel Rudakubana to Appear in Court Charged with MurderAxel Rudakubana, 18, is scheduled for a plea hearing at Liverpool Crown Court today in connection with the Southport stabbings that claimed the lives of three young children and injured several others.
Read more »
Lancashire teenager's next court appearance over Southport stabbings postponedAxel Rudakubana had been set to face a plea hearing this morning
Read more »
Teenager accused of Southport dance class killings pleads not guiltyAxel Rudakubana, 17, appeared in court charged with the murders of three children and attempted murder of eight others at a dance class in Southport.
Read more »