Posted on August 1, 2024

Identity of Southport Stabbing Suspect Revealed

Barney Davis and Amy-Clare Martin, The Independent, August 1, 2024

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 defendant can be named as Axel Rudakubana during a hearing on Thursday.

Axel Rudakubana

Axel Rudakubana

The teenager 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.

The teenager’s identity had previously not been revealed due to is age. However a judge overturned reporting restrictions at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday.

The suspect is due to turn 18 next Wednesday.

Removing reporting restrictions, Judge Menary said: “Continuing to prevent the full reporting has the disadvantage of allowing others to spread misinformation, in a vacuum.”

He added: “Whilst I accept it is exceptional given his age, principally because he is 18 in six days time I do not make an order under section 45.”

The decision comes after violent disorder broke out in several locations across the country following the tragedy, with skirmishes in Southport on Tuesday and more than 100 people arrested at a protest in Whitehall on Wednesday night.

The defendant refused to speak to confirm his name to the judge during the brief hearing.

Dressed in a grey tracksuit and black slippers he kept his head down and silently rocked back in forth in the dock.

He was remanded into custody in a youth detention centre to appear at a plea and trial and plea hearing on 25 October.

Earlier on Thursday the teenager appeared in the dock at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court for a preliminary hearing.

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 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.

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.”

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.

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.”

Original Article