Southport stabbing latest: Murder suspect named as 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana

Axel Rudakubana, 17, of Banks, Lancashire has been further remanded in youth detention accommodation.

It follows his appearance at Liverpool Crown Court charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article following the attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on Monday.

A 17-year-old boy who is charged with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder after a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport can be named as Axel Rudakubana, the Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC has ruled.

More than 110 arrests were made at the far-right protest in London on Wednesday evening, the Metropolitan Police has said.

In an update issued on Thursday afternoon, the force said 111 arrests were made after it “became clear very early in the evening that many of those attending had no intention of acting peacefully”.

Officers were attacked and subjected to assault, abuse and violent disorder, with bottles and flares thrown at them. One was injured after being punched in the chest and another was hurt after being kicked multiple times.

Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist: “Last night our officers faced unacceptable scenes of disorder and violence, as others across the country have done in recent days. They acted with great courage and the highest levels of professionalism in the face of hateful behaviour.

“All our thoughts should be with the victims and families of those impacted by the most dreadful attack in Southport. It is shameful that some have sought to exploit this tragedy as justification for their own violence and criminality.

“There is absolutely no place for this on our streets. We will ensure that anyone involved in any violent disorder and criminal behaviour will be stopped, arrested and will face justice.”

Anti-fascist campaign group HOPE not hate has condemned the far-right for “capitalising on the awful attack on Monday to spread hate” following the protests on Wednesday evening.

Joe Mulhall, Director of Research at HOPE not hate, said: “What started as an event in direct response to the attack on Monday is now widening out to unrest around the country in places like London, Aldershot and Hartlepool.

“Far-right figures such as Tommy Robinson are capitalising on the awful attack on Monday to spread hate. It’s clear that some of these people are claiming the attack on Monday is proof that multiculturalism has failed.

“While disinformation likely played a role in the target of Tuesday’s riot in Southport, the disturbances since are more motivated by racial and anti-migrant ideologies.”

The suspect in the Southport stabbings is accused of possessing a kitchen knife with a curved blade, a court has been told.

The defendant appeared in the dock earlier 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 two adults, Leanne Lucas and John Hayes, who were critically injured in the Southport stabbings remain in a critical condition, a court has heard.

The suspect was charged with the attempted murder of yoga class instructor Mr Lucas and businessman Mr Hayes.

He was also charged with 8 more counts of attempted murder, three counts of murder, and possession of a bladed article.

A clean-up operation began in Hartlepool just hours after disorder broke out in terraced streets close to the town centre.

Council workers were joined by volunteers in sweeping away the debris of bricks and bottles.

Staff at a traditional butchers – possibly targeted by yobs who wanted to steal eggs to throw – swept away glass from the badly damaged shop front.

A police car which was destroyed when it was set alight had already been removed from the street where it was torched by 10am.

Two children injured in the stabbing attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on Monday have been discharged from hospital, Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust has said.

In a statement issued on Thursday morning, the trust said: “We are delighted that two of the children involved in Monday’s awful incident have now been discharged.

“We continue to treat five children involved in the devastating incident in Southport on Monday, including one recently transferred to us from Aintree University Hospital.

“All the children in our care are currently in a stable condition.

“Our heartfelt sympathies remain with all those affected by Monday’s incident.

“We will not be providing any further information.”

A “petrified” local resident has said she now wants to move out of Hartlepool after witnessing the rioting in the town overnight.

Watching from her upstairs window, Claire Dickson, 39, said a protest started peacefully “but it just got out of hand” as children and adults threw eggs, bottles and bricks at the police.

She said people shouted the name of right-wing activist Tommy Robinson and “save our children”.

Ms Dickson said a mosque came under attack as police tried to keep protesters away, adding that she was petrified.

She said she feared there will be further disorder and said she did not feel safe in the town, adding: “If you have been here as long as we have, you will know that this is not the end of it. It will happen again and again.”

Asked how she felt the morning after the violence, she said: “Petrified, I want to move out of the area.”