Pictured: Southport suspect, 17, named as Axel Rudakubana
Teenager accused of killing three young girls at a holiday club inspired by Taylor Swift
The teenager accused of killing three girls at a dance class inspired by Taylor Swift in Southport is now able to be identified as Axel Muganwa Rudakubana following the removal of reporting limitations.
On Thursday morning, the young person went to Liverpool Crown Court because they were accused of three murders and ten attempted murders. They were kept in custody.
Earlier today, Axel, a resident of Banks in Lancashire, was present in court at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court for an initial hearing.
Axel, who will be 18 on August 7th, was born to parents from Rwanda in Cardiff before relocating to Banks.
He is accused of killing Bebe King, aged six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, aged seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, aged nine, as well as trying to kill ten other people. He is also facing charges for having a kitchen knife with a curved blade during the incident on Monday.
Three children lost their lives after being fatally stabbed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga workshop they were attending.
Eight more kids got stabbed, five of them are in really bad shape. Two kids have already been sent home from the hospital.
Many police officers stood guard outside the courthouse following another evening of chaotic protests throughout the nation.
The young person went to a court hearing in Liverpool Crown Court, where Judge Andrew Menary, the Recorder of Liverpool, gave the decision.
Judge Menary stated that not allowing complete reporting creates a gap where misinformation can spread freely.
Although I acknowledge that he is young, especially since he will be turning 18 in six days, I am not issuing any orders under section 45.
Before, the adolescent was unable to be identified due to being underage, however his anonymity would have been removed next Wednesday when he reaches the age of 18.
The judge listened to arguments from both sides, as well as statements from the media, regarding whether the defendant's identity should be kept secret until he turns 18.
In opposition to revealing his identity, the prosecution mentioned that he had been diagnosed with an "autism spectrum disorder" and had shown reluctance to go outside or talk to his family for a certain period.
Axel attended the hearing completely covering his face for the entire 55 minutes. He had on a grey sweatshirt that was pulled up to his hairline. He was seen rocking back and forth and side to side during the hearing. Axel will have his next court appearance at Liverpool Crown Court on October 25th.
A temporary test date, lasting six weeks, was set for January 20th of the coming year.
The judge informed the young person, who did not make eye contact and kept their head lowered, that they would be held in youth detention until the legal process finished.
"That stance could potentially shift once you reach legal age in the near future."
