17-year-old charged with Southport murders named in court

Axel Rudakubana is the teenager charged with murder and attempted murder.

A 17-year-old who is charged with the murders of three girls killed in the knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport has been named as Axel Rudakubana after a judge lifted reporting restrictions.

Axel Rudakubana, from Banks in Lancashire, wore a grey tracksuit which he pulled up to cover much of his face in court this morning, 1 August.

He appeared at a hearing at Liverpool Crown Court where the Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC made the ruling before remanding him in youth detention accommodation.

The teenager could previously not be named because of his age but would have lost anonymity when he turns 18 next Wednesday.

The judge heard arguments from the prosecution and defence as well as representations from the media about whether reporting Rudakubana’s identity should be restricted until his 18th birthday

Judge Menary said: “Continuing to prevent the full reporting has the disadvantage of allowing others to spread misinformation, in a vacuum.”

He added: “Whilst I accept it is exceptional, given his age, principally because he is 18 in six days’ time, I do not make an order under section 45.”

Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were fatally stabbed on Monday when a knifeman entered the dance class on Hart Street in Southport, Merseyside.

Six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, were killed in a “ferocious” knife attack during a Taylor Swift event at a dance school on Monday. Credit: Merseyside Police/PA.

Eight other children suffered knife wounds – with five of them left in a critical condition – while two adults were also critically hurt.

Rudakubana was charged with the attempted murder of two adults, yoga class instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes, as well as the attempted murder of the eight children who cannot be named for legal reasons.

He is also charged with possession of a bladed article, a curved kitchen knife, the court heard.

Earlier on Thursday the teenager, from Banks in Lancashire, appeared in the dock at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court for a preliminary hearing.