Axel Rudakubana Pleads Guilty to Child-Killing Charges on First Day of Trial in Southport

The 18-year-old accused of killing three girls at a dance class in Southport has confessed to the attack on the first day of his trial.

Axel Rudakubana, of Banks, Lancashire, was set to stand trial at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday facing 16 charges, including three counts of murder.

Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, Bebe King, 6, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, tragically died following the attack at the Taylor Swift-themed class in 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, has admitted to their murders as well as the attempted murder of eight other children, along with class instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes.

Mr Justice Goose announced that Rudakubana will receive sentencing on Thursday.

He also pleaded guilty to possession of a knife.

Rudakubana, who hails from Cardiff, also confessed to producing a biological toxin, ricin, on or before July 29 and possessing information likely to assist in an act of terrorism.

The terrorism charge pertains to a PDF file titled “Military Studies In The Jihad Against The Tyrants, The Al Qaeda Training Manual,” which he allegedly had between Aug. 29, 2021 and July 30, 2024.

The lethal ricin and the document were discovered during searches of the residence on Old School Close where he lived with his parents, originally from Rwanda.

Despite the document, Merseyside Police confirmed last year that the Southport attack was not considered a terrorist incident.

Rudakubana was apprehended on the day of the attack and later charged with murder, attempted murder, and possession of a knife.

Three months later, he faced charges of producing ricin and the terror offense, although these items were found in police searches following his arrest.

The nation experienced unrest following the Southport attack, with mosques and hotels housing illegal immigrants among the sites affected.

Shortly after the stabbing, online rumors suggested that the suspect was an illegal immigrant who had arrived in the UK on a small boat.

The day after the incident, a peaceful vigil drew thousands in Southport, but a separate demonstration outside a mosque turned violent with attacks on police and burning of vehicles.

Over 1,000 arrests linked to the disturbances nationwide have been made, with many individuals charged and imprisoned.