Teenager accused of Southport knife attack to go on trial

The 18-year-old accused of sidesplitting 3 girls successful a weapon onslaught astatine a Southport creation people is owed to spell connected trial.

Axel Rudakubana, of Banks, Lancashire, volition basal proceedings astatine Liverpool Crown Court charged with the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine; Bebe King, six; and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven; who died pursuing the onslaught astatine a Taylor Swift-themed creation people astatine The Hart Space soon earlier midday connected July 29.

He is accused of the attempted execution of 8 different children, who cannot beryllium named for ineligible reasons, people teacher Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes successful the aforesaid incident.

Rudakubana is besides charged with possession of a weapon connected the time of the attack, accumulation of a biologic toxin, ricin, connected oregon earlier July 29, and possession of accusation apt to beryllium utile to a idiosyncratic committing oregon preparing to perpetrate an enactment of terrorism.

The alleged coercion offence relates to a PDF record entitled Military Studies In The Jihad Against The Tyrants, The Al Qaeda Training Manual, which helium is said to person possessed betwixt August 29 2021 and July 30 2024.

The ricin, a deadly poison, and the papers were recovered during searches of the location connected Old School Close that helium shared with his parents, who were primitively from Rwanda.

Rudakubana has not spoken during earlier tribunal hearings and not blameworthy pleas were entered connected his behalf erstwhile helium failed to respond aft the charges were enactment to him.

His proceedings is expected to past up to 4 weeks.