Asya Robins
Live reporter

We've been reporting from Liverpool Town Hall this morning, where the public inquiry into the Southport attack has resumed.

We have heard from the mother of two children who were involved in the attack.

They are referred to as C6 and Child T.

If you're just joining us, here's a recap of what she said:

• She relived the moment her husband called to tell her that their children had been stabbed, saying "shock took over instantly. I couldn’t make sense of the words"

• Upon her arrival, the mother said emergency services were everywhere, and children lay hurt around her
• Her two children had been injured, with one needing blood transfusions and a chest drain
• The mother said that for her youngest child, the loss of Alice Aguiar - who was killed in the attack - has been "a constant, heavy presence"
• She told the inquiry her family had tried to "reclaim normality" in "small moments where we can", but that her children were coping in a "profoundly different way"
• She also described how journalists calling at their house and seeing social media "compounded the impact" of their trauma

Asya Robins
Live reporter

On 29 July 2024, Alice Aguiar, nine; Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven; and six-year-old Bebe King were killed during a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.

The perpetrator, now 18, is serving at least 52 years for their murders.

Eight other children and two adults were seriously wounded in the attack.

Police were called just before 11:50 that Monday morning and were "shocked" to find many people, many of whom were children, had been subjected to a "ferocious attack".

Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe died later that day, while Alice Dasilva Aguiar died in hospital early the following morning from her injuries.

Jonathan Hayes's evidence has now finished

The inquiry has adjourned for a lunch break and will resume at 13:30 BST.

We will bring you full coverage when the hearing gets back under way.

In the meantime, we will provide a summary of this morning's proceedings.

Mairead Smyth
Reporting from the inquiry

John Hayes tells the inquiry "things have eased since the anniversary has passed" and now thinks he is "coping ok".

However he says he thinks about "death and morbidity" much more often and is "far more cautious and reserved".

He says: "It’s like I’ve had a hammer blow and come out a bit dazed and more fragile. I have had some of the confidence knocked out of me.

"I don’t have the same aspirations that I had. My priorities have changed. I’m not sure of my life goals any more. Something has changed in me. I think differently. I am more content in my bubble. I feel quieter.

"I used to go outside without thinking of the dangers that might confront us. Now I have put a shield around me.

"My wife Helen has noticed the change in me too. She says I am more guarded and reflective."

Hayes says he finds it harder to enjoy things

"In some ways my world has got a bit smaller, and I feel vulnerable outside our bubble.

"However, I am a survivor, and I am grateful to all those who played a part in enabling me to say that."

Mairead Smyth
Reporting from the inquiry

John Hayes tells the inquiry in the last 12 months he has "only had a handful of nights where I have slept ok".

He also describes the impact of seeing the "demonic image" of the attack perpetrator's police mugshot.

Hayes says: "That is such a harrowing image and I find it hard to shake. Counsellors have encouraged me to have a happy place that I can go to when that image comes into my mind. It works to some extent but it’s quite difficult to do

"I have lost count of the number of counselling sessions I have had, perhaps 25 or so, but they have not helped.

"I still have to live with daily reminders, whether it's flowers at the office door, somebody asking me questions, the media, the pain in my leg and the scar on my thigh which will never go away."

Mairead Smyth
Reporting from the inquiry

John Hayes tells the inquiry he still gets flashbacks from the day he was stabbed and still wakes up with "horrific images in my mind".

"My wife and I used to enjoy watching crime dramas on television, but I cannot now watch anything on TV involving knives or knife crime", he tells the inquiry at Liverpool Town Hall.

"I don’t like knives in the kitchen, and I avoid the news.

"I did visit my GP at one point as I was struggling. I had become quite withdrawn, I didn’t want to go out, I didn’t want to socialise, I didn't want to have any fun as it felt inappropriate. I lost my appetite and lost some weight. I was quite reclusive for a couple of months.

"Previously I had been quite active and sporty so not being able to get around as easily was compounding the low mood. Then around six weeks ago in the lead up to the first anniversary I started to wake up with tightness in my chest.

"There was renewed media interest, all of which I have shunned as I don't like to talk about it, but this is what was going on at the time.

"The GP said I have [post-traumatic stress disorder] and prescribed anti-depressants, but I haven't taken them."

Mairead Smyth
Reporting from the inquiry

John Hayes describes the impact of the attack on his business, with the office closed for seven weeks.

"There were five people in the office with me that day and they have all struggled to some extent with the aftermath," he says.

"I worry about the psychological effects on my colleagues, most of whom have had little or no support or recognition of the help they provided."

Hayes says going back to the office for the first time was "very difficult".

"Whenever I opened the door to the hall, I would put my foot behind the door and only open it an inch to make sure there was no-one on the other side of that door. I had a peephole installed but I don’t like looking through it as I imagine something coming through and stabbing me in the eye."

He tells the inquiry he feels unable to be in the office alone and now asks his colleagues to come with him when he leaves for the day.

"I am hypervigilant, I am constantly looking over my shoulder when out in public," he explains. "I don’t like anybody wearing a hoodie as it makes me feel very uncomfortable."

Mairead Smyth
Reporting from the inquiry

John Hayes tells the inquiry he was scheduled for surgery the day after the attack and "lost all sensation in my leg".

"I was quite an active person beforehand so I was anxious I would be left with a permanent disability that would prevent me walking or getting around," he says.

The inquiry hears the blade had gone 10cm into Mr Hayes' leg and the injury was "much worse" than doctors had initially feared.

"Post surgery I couldn't bend my leg at all and couldn't get out of bed without assistance," Hayes says.

"I came out from hospital on day three by which point I was just about able to get around on crutches, but it took me two to three months before I had [the] strength to tackle stairs.

"Helen became my full-time carer for a few weeks. She gave practical help around the house, received visitors, and fended off journalists, whilst I continued with my recovery.

"The scar I have been left with serves as a daily reminder. It is a very pronounced scar and the contour of my thigh has changed. Every time I shower, I can feel it. It’s a daily reminder that will never go way."

Mairead Smyth
Reporting from the inquiry

Image source, Handout

John Hayes tells the inquiry his next memory was of blue lights and arriving at Aintree Hospital's major trauma unit.

"My overriding feeling was one of fear," he says, and describes how he felt like he was dying "at every stage" until he got to the hospital.

Hayes says: "While [my wife] Helen waited for information her anxiety was rising, and she kept imagining a call to say I hadn't made it.

"Eventually she received a call to say I was in an ambulance on my way to Aintree and she could meet me there. Helen jumped straight in the car.

"When she arrived, I was on a trolley, surrounded by medics. I don't recall this, but Helen says that when I saw her, I started crying and I kept saying 'I tried to help her, I tried to help her'.

"Helen started crying too and just hugged me."

Mairead Smyth
Reporting from the inquiry

Warning: This post contains graphic detail about the attack

John Hayes tells the inquiry he was eventually carried out of the building on a stretcher by paramedics in "agonising" pain.

He says he was then put down "in the middle of the road" and had his clothes cut off while he was checked for other injuries.

Hayes explains: "I was lying in the road in Hart Street for what felt like an age. That was a really worrying period.

"I have since learned what my wife Helen was going through during this time. My colleague Josh phoned her to tell her that I had been stabbed but she had to wait for more news because it was frantic.

"Helen called me on my mobile as she obviously wanted to know if I was ok. I have no recollection of this call, but Helen tells me that either a police officer or paramedic held the phone to my ear as I had been asking for her.

"Helen says I wasn't able to form any words, I was just making noise. Helen had called hoping I was going to be able to tell her I was fine and not to worry but obviously I wasn't able to do that.

"Helen was relieved that I was at least conscious, but it was clear to her that I was in a bad way."

Mairead Smyth
Reporting from the inquiry

Warning: This post contains graphic detail about the attack

John Hayes says the pain of his wound became "overwhelming" and he could feel himself "fading" due to blood loss, which he describes as "pretty scary".

He tells the inquiry hearing at Liverpool Town Hall: "The whole thing was like carnage.

"I seem to remember hearing someone say, 'put the weapon down'.

"I didn't feel threatened at that stage, but thought I was going to die from blood loss.

"I didn’t lose consciousness, but I probably wasn’t very coherent.

"I was just asking where the paramedics were as it seemed like an age before they arrived.

"Jenny Scholes who rents the Hart Space has a sister who is a nurse.

"She attended at the scene and was one of the first people to come and assess me. She held my hand while waiting for the paramedics to attend. The police arrived before paramedics.

"When the paramedics did arrive, they didn’t know I was in the office and their focus was understandably on the children, so I thought I had been overlooked which heightened my anxiety.

"I didn’t know the scale of the incident at that stage. I was lying on the floor just waiting and waiting."

Mairead Smyth
Reporting from the inquiry

Warning: This post contains graphic detail about the attack

Southport attack survivor John Hayes tells the inquiry he was at work when he became aware of a "commotion" involving children being hurt or alarmed in some way.

He says he left his office to see what was happening and was "immediately" confronted by a knifeman.

"My initial feeling was one of terror, seeing a man wielding a bloody knife.

"That quickly turned to horror as I witnessed critically injured children and began to realise what was happening.

"I grappled with the attacker and fell to the floor.

"Initially I didn’t even know I had been stabbed but when I looked down, I saw blood pouring out of my leg.

"That was horrific because I have read enough medical reports in the course of my work to know that if you puncture an artery, it can be fatal."

Warning: This post contains graphic detail about the attack

John Hayes says when he realised how heavily he was bleeding he was "scared".

He tells the inquiry: "The attacker was still there in front of me while I was lying prone on the floor, so I had to contend with the possibility he was going to come back and try to finish me off.

"Thankfully a colleague by the name of Adam came on the scene and shut the office door.

"One of my colleagues whose name was Rob tried to wrap a bandage around my leg but there was that much blood coming out that it wasn't doing any good.

"Another colleague Josh then had the presence of mind to get a strap off one of the sailing bags I had in the office and used that as a tourniquet.

"I am pretty sure that saved my life. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Josh, Rob and Adam for what they did that day."

Judith Moritz
Reporting from the inquiry

John Hayes is speaking slowly and clearly.

He’s looking down at his statement, on a piece of paper in front of him. His voice is steady.

He’s sitting at the table of the witness box, fairly close to the Inquiry Chair Sir Adrian Fulford who is looking intently at him as he speaks.

Again, there’s utter silence in the room as rows of lawyers also listen to what’s being said.

Mairead Smyth
Reporting from the inquiry

We will next hear from Jonathan Hayes, who was working in an office next door when the Southport attack began on 29 July 2024.

He begins reading his statement.

"I am John Hayes. On 29th July 2024 I survived a stabbing attack at the Hart Space in Southport. I am acutely aware that others - children - did not survive, and others have suffered the trauma of the attack from which they will never fully recover.

"That weighs heavily on my mind.

"I make this statement to assist the inquiry in understanding the impact that attack had on me."

Mairead Smyth
Reporting from the inquiry

The mother of Child C6 and Child T says her daughters have "created friendships and bonds" with other survivors and witnesses.

She says: "They have returned to Alder Hey Children's Hospital as volunteers which is a true testament to the hospital and staff that have created a safe and welcoming environment, despite their adversity, and given the girls a positive opportunity to spread joy to others.

"We cannot begin to imagine what the bereaved families have endured. They have been brave and dignified in their grief, creating amazing charities as a legacy to their girls. No child should have died that day.

"We hope this inquiry brings lessons and accountability so that no family has to suffer what we and others have suffered. Despite the evil act that has so heavily impacted us, we refuse to let it define us or our girls and their future.

"Together we will continue to create positive change and do everything we can to ensure safer communities for the next generation."

That concludes the mother's statement.

Mairead Smyth
Reporting from the inquiry

The mother of Child C6 and Child T describes how journalists calling at their house and social media "compounded the impact" of their trauma.

"Our eldest, already struggling with PTSD, has felt anger when she sees articles that didn't report the facts as she knew them.

"Seeing [the attack perpetrator's] face or name unexpectedly in the media has triggered spirals of distress that affect the whole family.

"Because of the anonymity order, we cannot respond or correct misinformation. While we understand the order is to protect children, it has been very difficult to navigate, especially for a mature teenager, who wants to be vocal, stand up for her beliefs and create change.

"We are deeply grateful that our girls are still alive, but that exists alongside the heavy weight of trauma, grief and the daily reality of PTSD.

"We have never faced anything like this before, and there is no handbook for navigating the aftermath of such trauma."

Mairead Smyth
Reporting from the inquiry

The mother of Child C6 and Child T tells the Southport Inquiry her family had tried to "reclaim normality" in "small moments where we can".

She says: "Events like Halloween take on a different weight, requiring us to consider whether they could reopen wounds and trigger painful memories.

"We live in a constant balancing act, supporting two children who are coping in profoundly different ways; our youngest is learning to live with grief she cannot fully understand and the memories of what she witnessed, avoiding conversations about the day.

"She will occasionally release small snippets of the day. In moments when she feels truly safe, she has previously described having to dodge [the attacker] as he came towards her and I often think her natural apprehension of people saved her that day.

"Our eldest is a teenager, who has endured trauma and has seen more than any young person should. She is mature in her ideas and has access to much more media coverage. We navigate daily the struggle between needing to allow her the freedom to speak and protecting her."

Mairead Smyth
Reporting from the inquiry

The mother of Child C6 and Child T continues giving her evidence to the public inquiry here at Liverpool Town Hal.

"For our eldest, returning to school has been equally as challenging.

"She continues to live with the physical pain of recovery and heightened anxiety. She is constantly on alert, assessing every room she enters.

"Certain lessons, particularly in biology and Religious Education, require advance warning, so that she can either prepare herself for the content, or make arrangements to be excused from the lesson entirely.

"Her friendships have shifted. She is seen as "different", a label she never asked for, making it harder to maintain close connections.

"She has been forced to grow up far beyond her years, and her anger, when it comes, can be overwhelming, even to her."

The mother says her daughter's education has also suffered and she has "fallen behind".

Mairead Smyth
Reporting from the inquiry

The mother of child C6 and child T speaks about the moment her daughter was told Alice Aguiar had died.

She says: "When our eldest regained consciousness, her humour shone through, helping to hold us together.

"But the next day, as she was being taken to theatre we were told that Alice had died.

"The loss of Alice is something those lucky enough to have known her will always miss.

"She was the biggest ray of sunshine with a huge smile. Her parents' love for her was extraordinary and their strength remains an inspiration."

Image source, Handout

The girl's mother continues: "Shortly afterwards I faced the moment I had been dreading. Telling my youngest about Alice.

"She asked the question with an innocence and hope that broke my heart.

"I knew my answer would shatter her faith in the world. No parent should have to watch their daughter lose their belief in the world, in safety or human kindness in a single moment."