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Southport attacker admits murdering three girls Southport attacker admits murdering three girls
(32 minutes later)
Knife attacker Axel Rudakubana has pleaded guilty to the murders of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe KingKnife 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 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 Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.
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. 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 on 29 July last year.
Not guilty pleas had been entered on his behalf at a previous hearing. As his trial was set to begin at Liverpool Crown Court, Rudakubana - who was 17 at the time of the killings - unexpectedly entered guilty pleas to all the charges he faced.
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. The judge apologised to the victims' families that they were not there, as the four-week trial was expected to begin on Tuesday.
The guilty pleas - ahead of what was scheduled to be a four-week trial likely to begin on Tuesday - meant the families of his victims were not in court. Mr Justice Goose said "we had all assumed" that a trial would go ahead, adding: "I am conscious of the fact the families are not here today."
Mr Justice Goose, the trial judge, said "we had all assumed" that a trial would go ahead, and apologised to the victims' families that they were not "here to hear him enter his pleas". But before a jury could be sworn in, 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.
'Inevitable sentence''Inevitable sentence'
Rudakubana was accused of producing the biological toxin ricin and a charge under the Terrorism Act related to possessing an al-Qaeda training manual.Rudakubana was accused of producing the biological toxin ricin and a charge under the Terrorism Act related to possessing an al-Qaeda training manual.
Merseyside Police said last year the stabbing attack had not been declared a terrorist incident despite the discovery of the document.
As each charge was put to him, Rudakubana, who had his face covered with a PPE mask, quietly said "guilty" to each count.As each charge was put to him, Rudakubana, who had his face covered with a PPE mask, quietly said "guilty" to each count.
Mr Justice Goose said: "Axel Rudakubana, you can hear me, I know.Mr Justice Goose said: "Axel Rudakubana, you can hear me, I know.
"Those who sit with me say you have nodded your head to indicate you can hear what I am saying.""Those who sit with me say you have nodded your head to indicate you can hear what I am saying."
He told him he would be sentenced on Thursday and it was "inevitable" that he would be given a life sentence.He told him he would be sentenced on Thursday and it was "inevitable" that he would be given a life sentence.
Rudakubana cannot be sentenced to a whole-life term for his crimes because he is under the age of 21.
Axel Rudakubana will be sentenced on ThursdayAxel 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. The attack took place during a summer holiday 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.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.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.
Posts claiming he was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK on a small boat were shared widely.
The violent unrest quickly spread around the country.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.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.Dozens of them have been jailed.
MP Patrick Hurley said the pleas had come as a "surprise and shock"MP Patrick Hurley said the pleas had come as a "surprise and shock"
Patrick Hurley, who had become MP for the town less than a month before the attack, said there was "surprise and shock" at the pleas coming before the trial started.Patrick Hurley, who had become MP for the town less than a month before the attack, said there was "surprise and shock" at the pleas coming before the trial started.
He said: "We are all hoping the families get the outcome and justice they need."He said: "We are all hoping the families get the outcome and justice they need."
The Labour MP said he was pleased the victims' families would not have to sit through the "mental torture" of a lengthy trial.The Labour MP said he was pleased the victims' families would not have to sit through the "mental torture" of a lengthy trial.
"This isn't a day for celebration - it is a day to make sure we remember the victims," he added."This isn't a day for celebration - it is a day to make sure we remember the victims," he added.
The King visited Southport to pay his respects to the victims
In the days following the murders, Alice was described by her family as a "perfect dream child" who "moved their world" with her "confidence and empathy".
Bebe's parents Lauren and Ben King said she was a "sweet, kind, and spirited girl" who was "full of joy, light and love".
Elsie Dot was said to be "extraordinary" and an "amazing little girl".
The corner of the street near to where the attack happened became a sea of flowers, as people from all around the country came to pay their respects, including King Charles.