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A 17-year-old boy accused of murdering three children at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Southport has been named.
The Recorder of Liverpool Andrew Menary KC ruled the teenager can be named as Axel Rudakubana during a hearing on Thursday.
He is also charged with ten counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article – described in court as a kitchen knife with a curved blade – following the mass stabbing on Monday.
Six-year-old Bebe King and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe were pronounced dead shortly after the incident, while nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar died from her injuries in hospital on Tuesday.
Eight more children were injured, including five left fighting for their lives in hospital.
Two adults were also in a critical condition following the incident shortly before midday at a summer holiday dance workshop in Hart Street, Southport.
The defendant appeared in the dock wearing a grey tracksuit and black slippers at the brief hearing at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court.
He looked at the row of reporters sat behind the glass dock before he was asked to sit down.
The 17-year-old used his left hand to pull his sweatshirt over his face above his nose and kept his head low during the five-minute hearing, in which he did not speak.
The teenager, who was living in Banks in Lancashire, was arrested shortly after the attack.
Remanding him in custody at a youth detention centre, district Judge James Horton said: “You are charged with violent offences.”
He later added: “You will appear at crown court, sitting at Liverpool later on today before a more senior judge who will make further direction and determinations in this case.”
The boy was charged with the attempted murder of the two adults who were named as Leanne Lucas and John Hayes, as well as the attempted murder of eight children who cannot be named for legal reasons.
He is also accused of possessing a kitchen knife with a curved blade.
At a later hearing Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC ruled that his identity would not be protected and he could be named as Mr Rudakubana.
The teenager could previously not be named because of his age but would have lost anonymity when he turns 18 next Wednesday.
Announcing he had been charged on Thursday, chief constable of Merseyside Police Serena Kennedy said: “A 17-year old-boy from Banks has been charged with the murders of Bebe, Elsie Dot and Alice, 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article following the tragic incident in Southport on Monday July 29.
“The 17-year-old cannot be named for legal reasons as he’s under 18.
“He has been remanded in custody to appear (today), Thursday August 1, at Liverpool Magistrates Court, Derby Square.
“Whilst these charges are a significant milestone within this investigation, this remains very much a live investigation and we continue to work with our partners from Lancashire Police and counter-terrorism police in the North West.”
Violent disorder has broken out in several locations across the country following the tragedy, with more than 100 people arrested at a protest in Whitehall on Wednesday night.
More follows on this breaking news story…
Source: independent.co.uk
