Southport knife attack suspect Axel Rudakubana to go on trial for Taylor Swift dance class deaths

Axel Rudakubana, 18, of Lancashire, is set to stand trial for the alleged murder of three girls and the alleged attempted murder of ten others, including eight children

The suspected knife attacker who is alleged to have killed three girls in Southport is set to go on trial.

Axel Rudakubana, 18, of Banks, Lancashire, will appear in court following the murder of Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, Bebe King, 6, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7. The innocent girls were enjoying themselves at a Taylor Swift-themed dance party at The Hart Space when tragedy struck on July 29.

They sadly died following the knife frenzy which happened shortly before mid-day. Eight other children and two adults; class instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes, were hospitalised with injuries. Leanne, 35, endured injuries in her back, neck and arms as she "bravely tried to protect [ the ] children".

Rudakubana will stand trial at Liverpool Crown Court charged with the murders of the three children. He is also accused of the attempted murder of the eight children and the two adults. 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.

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.