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Southport attacker admits murdering three girls Southport attacker admits murdering three girls
(31 minutes later)
Knife attacker Axel Rudakubana has pleaded guilty to the murders of three girls in Southport in July Knife attacker Axel Rudakubana has pleaded guilty to the murders of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King
Knife attacker Axel Rudakubana has pleaded guilty to murdering three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on the first day of his trial. Knife attacker Axel Rudakubana has pleaded guilty to murdering three young girls at a dance class in Southport on the first day of his trial.
The 18-year-old, from Banks in Lancashire, admitted to the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe on 29 July 2024. The 18-year-old, from Banks in Lancashire, stabbed Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe on 29 July 2024, along with ten others.
Not guilty pleas had been entered on his behalf at a previous hearing.Not guilty pleas had been entered on his behalf at a previous hearing.
But as the case was about to begin at Liverpool Crown Court, Stan Reisz KC, defending, asked for the charges to be put to his client again and he pleaded guilty to three counts of murder and 10 of attempted murder, along with two terror-related charges.But as the case was about to begin at Liverpool Crown Court, Stan Reisz KC, defending, asked for the charges to be put to his client again and he pleaded guilty to three counts of murder and 10 of attempted murder, along with two terror-related charges.
He was accused of producing the biological toxin ricin and a charge under the Terrorism Act related to possessing Al-Quaeda training manual. He was accused of producing the biological toxin ricin and a charge under the Terrorism Act related to possessing an al-Qaeda training manual.
As each charge was put to him, Rudakubana, who had his face covered with a PPE mask, quietly said "guilty" to each count on the indictment.As each charge was put to him, Rudakubana, who had his face covered with a PPE mask, quietly said "guilty" to each count on the indictment.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. Mr Justice Goose, the trial judge, said: "Axel Rudakubana, you can hear me, I know.
You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X, external to get the latest alerts. "Those who sit with me say you have nodded your head to indicate you can hear what I am saying.
"You have now pleaded guilty to this indictment, to each of the charges upon it.
"You will be sentenced on Thursday."
He told him it was "inevitable" that he would impose a life sentence.
Axel Rudakubana will be sentenced on Thursday
The attack took place during a summer holiday Taylor Swift-themed dance class for children at the Hart Centre in Southport.
Rudakubana, who was 17 at the time, also stabbed eight other children along with yoga teacher Leanne Lucas, who was instructing the class, and businessman John Hayes, who was one of the first people on the scene.
A peaceful vigil was held in the town the next day, but misinformation spread online about Rudakubana, who was born in Cardiff, led to a riot breaking out.
The violent unrest quickly spread around the country.
About 1,200 people have been arrested in connection with the riots in towns and cities across the UK, and more than 400 charged.
Dozens of them have been jailed.