A teenager from Banks has admitted murdering three young girls at a Taylor Swift dancing class in Southport.
Axel Rudakubana (18) refused to confirm his name, but then pleaded guilty to the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar (nine), Bebe King (six) and Elsie Dot Stancombe (seven) at Liverpool Crown Court.
They were three charges of murder; 10 charges of attempted murder and one charge of possession of a knife – relating to the mass stabbing at The Hart Space, in Hart Street, Southport on July 29, 2024.
Eight other children, aged between seven and 13, were also injured, along with adults Leanne Lucas and John Hayes.
Rudakubana (pictured) was additionally charged on October 29, with production of ricin – a biological toxin – and, with possessing an Al-Qaeda Training Manual.
Following his guilty plea, Rudakubana was remanded in custody to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday (January 23), for sentencing.
Attack
Rudakubana, who has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, was expelled from Range High School in Formby in around 2019 over claims he was carrying a knife and he later returned to attack someone with a hockey stick.
He then attended two specialists schools, where teachers raised concerns about his behaviour.
Lancashire County Council confirmed that the teenager first became known to Children’s Social Care in 2019. A multi-agency assessment was completed following the attack in school. Support was then offered from various agencies and a Prevent referral was made, with a further referral being made in 2021.
The Early Help Service had contact with him and his family at various times between October 2019 and September 2023.
Youth Justice Services also became involved in 2020 as a result of a referral order following the attack in school. A further social work assessment was undertaken in 2022 and Lancashire County Council was again involved immediately after the incident in Southport. Its education team worked with agencies related to Axel’s school attendance and his Education Health and Care Plan.
A LCC spokesman said: “Following the conviction of Axel Rudakubana, we welcome the announcement of an independent public inquiry and will fully cooperate with the process.
“In addition to the public inquiry, a wide ranging and independent Child Safety Practice Review (CSPR) has been commissioned by the Lancashire Children’s Safeguarding Assurance Partnership.
“The practice review will thoroughly consider the contact agencies had with Axel Rudakubana prior to this tragic incident.
“It is important that this review is not pre-judged and it provides an opportunity to identify learning surrounding his actions.”
