Axel Rudakubana, of Banks, Lancashire, changed his plea on day one of a trial at Liverpool Crown Court where he was charged with the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine; Bebe King, six; and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven
An 18-year-old has pleaded guilty to murdering three girls in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift themed dance class in Southport last year.
Axel Rudakubana, of Banks, Lancashire, changed his plea on day one of a trial at Liverpool Crown Court where he was charged with the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine; Bebe King, six; and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven; who died following the attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at The Hart Space shortly before midday on July 29.
He also admitted 10 counts of attempted murder, and single charges of possession of a knife, production of a biological toxin and possessing information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.
Appearing at Liverpool crown court this morning the 18-year-old admitted all offences following the attack on July 29 last year.
He will be sentenced on Thursday.
Dance teacher Leanne Lucas was overseeing a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, Merseyside, on July 29 when a male entered the building armed with a knife and attacked children and adults.
Bebe, Alice, and Elsie died after the stabbing at the Hart Space.
Their 35-year-old teacher suffered serious stab wounds while trying to protect two girls.
Earlier on Monday,the Home Secretary said the whole country is thinking of the families of those killed in the Southport knife attack as the man accused of their murders went on trial.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “This will be a deeply traumatic and distressing time for the families of Alice, Bebe and Elsie, the survivors, and the people of Southport, and the whole country will be thinking of them.
“The most important thing for all of us is to ensure that the legal process can take its course, to respect the difficult job the court has to do, so there is a fair trial and justice can be done.
“There will be a time at the end of this trial to discuss what happened and the action needed in response to this horrific tragedy. But for now, and until the proceedings have concluded, the priority for all of us must be to ensure justice is done.”
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