Southport attacker admits murdering three girls

Axel Rudakubana will be sentenced on Thursday

Knife attacker Axel Rudakubana has pleaded guilty to murdering three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.

The 18-year-old from Banks in Lancashire stabbed Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, along with 10 others on 29 July last year.

As his trial was set to begin at Liverpool Crown Court, Rudakubana unexpectedly entered guilty pleas to all charges, including murder, attempted murder and two terror-related offences.

The victims' families were not in court to hear his change of plea and the judge apologised to them, saying "we had all assumed" the trial would get under way in earnest on Tuesday.

But before a jury could be sworn in, Stan Reisz KC, defending, asked for the charges to be put to his client again and he pleaded guilty to three counts of murder and 10 of attempted murder, along with two terror-related charges.

Rudakubana was accused of producing the biological toxin ricin and a charge under the Terrorism Act related to possessing an al-Qaeda training manual.

Merseyside Police said last year the stabbing attack had not been declared a terrorist incident despite the discovery of the document.

As each charge was put to him, Rudakubana, who had his face covered with a PPE mask, quietly said "guilty" to each count.

Mr Justice Goose said: "Axel Rudakubana, you can hear me, I know.

"Those who sit with me say you have nodded your head to indicate you can hear what I am saying."

He told him he would be sentenced on Thursday and it was "inevitable" that he would be given a life sentence.

Rudakubana cannot be sentenced to a whole-life term for his crimes because he is under the age of 21.

MP Patrick Hurley said the pleas had come as a "surprise and shock"

The attack took place during a summer holiday dance class for children at the Hart Centre in Southport.

Rudakubana, who was 17 at the time, also stabbed eight other children along with yoga teacher Leanne Lucas, who was instructing the class, and businessman John Hayes, who was one of the first people on the scene.

A peaceful vigil was held in the town the next day, but misinformation spread online about Rudakubana, who was born in Cardiff, led to a riot breaking out.

Posts claiming he was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK on a small boat were shared widely.

The violent unrest quickly spread around the country.

About 1,200 people have been arrested in connection with the riots in towns and cities across the UK, and more than 400 charged.

Dozens of them have been jailed.

Patrick Hurley, who had become MP for the town less than a month before the attack, said there was "surprise and shock" at the pleas coming before the trial started.

He said: "We are all hoping the families get the outcome and justice they need."

The Labour MP said he was pleased the victims' families would not have to sit through the "mental torture" of a lengthy trial.

"This isn't a day for celebration - it is a day to make sure we remember the victims," he added.

The King visited Southport to pay his respects to the victims

In the days following the murders, Alice was described by her family as a "perfect dream child" who "moved their world" with her "confidence and empathy".

Bebe's parents Lauren and Ben King said she was a "sweet, kind, and spirited girl" who was "full of joy, light and love".

Elsie Dot was said to be "extraordinary" and an "amazing little girl".

The corner of the street near to where the attack happened became a sea of flowers, as people from all around the country came to pay their respects, including King Charles.

Speaking after the hearing, Ursula Doyle, deputy chief crown prosecutor for Mersey and Cheshire, described the attack as "unspeakable".

"At the start of the school holidays, a day which should have been one of carefree innocence; of children enjoying a dance workshop and making friendship bracelets, became a scene of the darkest horror as Axel Rudakubana carried out his meticulously planned rampage," she said.

Ms Doyle added: "It is clear that this was a young man with a sickening and sustained interest in death and violence.

"He has shown no sign of remorse."