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Southport terror-attack accused goes on trial

The youth accused of killing three girls in a knife attack at a Southport dance class last year is due to go on trial in Britain today (20 January).

Axel Rudakubana of Lancashire will stand trial at Liverpool Crown Court charged with the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar (nine), Bebe King (six), and seven-year-old Elsie Dot.

The three children were attacked and killed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July last.

Rudakubana is accused of the attempted murder of eight other children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, class instructor Leanne Lucas, and businessman John Hayes in the same incident.

Biological toxin

He is also charged with possession of a knife on the day of the attack, production of a biological toxin, ricin, on or before 29 July, and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism.

The alleged terrorism offence relates to a PDF file entitled Military Studies In The Jihad Against The Tyrants, The Al Qaeda Training Manual, which he is said to have possessed between 29 August 2021 and 30 July.

Ricin poison

The deadly ricin and the document were found during searches of the home that he shared with his parents, who were originally from Rwanda.

Not guilty pleas were entered on his behalf when he failed to respond after the charges were put to him in earlier hearings.

The trial is expected to last up to four weeks.