Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Southport stabbings suspect Axel Rudakubana, 18, appearing (Image: PA)
The trial of Axel Rudakubana, the teenager accused of killing three girls in a knife attack at a Southport dance class, is due to start today.
And Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said the whole country is thinking of the victims during what would be a “deeply traumatic and distressing time”.
The 18-year-old, of Banks, Lancashire, will be tried at Liverpool Crown Court charged with the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine; Bebe King, six; and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven; who died following the attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at The Hart Space shortly before midday on July 29.
He is accused of the attempted murder of eight other children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, class instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes in the same incident.
Rudakubana 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.
Victims Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar (Image: PA)
The alleged 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.
Rudakubana has not spoken during earlier court hearings and not guilty pleas were entered on his behalf when he failed to respond after the charges were put to him.
His trial is expected to last up to four weeks.
The tragedy sparked a wave of anger across the UK and numerous riots, initially in Southport itself, as false rumours spread on social media claimed he was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel.
Ms Cooper said: “This will be a deeply traumatic and distressing time for the families of Alice, Bebe and Elsie, the survivors, and the people of Southport, and the whole country will be thinking of them.
“The most important thing for all of us is to ensure that the legal process can take its course, to respect the difficult job the court has to do, so there is a fair trial and justice can be done.
“There will be a time at the end of this trial to discuss what happened and the action needed in response to this horrific tragedy. But for now, and until the proceedings have concluded, the priority for all of us must be to ensure justice is done.”
Last week, the Attorney General warned about the risk of publishing anything which could influence the jury.
An advisory issued on Thursday said: “While proceedings are active, the Attorney General is reminding editors, publishers and social media users that fair and accurate reporting of legal proceedings held in public in good faith is permitted.
“However, you may be at risk of being in contempt of court if you publish material or comment online that is inaccurate, unfair or involves discussion or commentary which could influence the jury’s deliberations.
“This includes anything that asserts or assumes, expressly or implicitly, the guilt of Axel Rudakubana. This is due to the risk of potentially jeopardising the criminal trial.”