Police photos show containers which the murderer Axel Rudakubana had been using in his attempt to manufacture doses of the poison ricin.
Rudakubana was yesterday (23 January) sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 52 years after he murdered three young girls at a dance class in Southport last year.
He was also given further life sentences for other counts of attempting to murder several more children and adults, meaning he was handed a total of 13 life sentences.
Police found a sealed container that had ricin in it. (Merseyside Police)
Rudakubana carried out a knife attack in which he murdered Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Bebe King, six, attempted to murder eight other children who cannot be named along with dance class instructor Leanne Lucas, and businessman John Hayes.
Because he was 17 when he committed the murders of children Rudakubana cannot be given a whole life order sentence as there is a legal requirement for him to receive a minimum term in his sentencing, though judge Justice Goose stated that he is likely never to be released from prison.
A pestle and mortar used by Rudakubana. (Merseyside Police)
When he was arrested he told police ‘I’m glad those kids are dead’, and a police investigation of his home found a number of weapons, including a knife identical to the one he used to commit murder, along with arrows and a box containing an unknown substance.
The box was sent to Porton Down, the government’s biological warfare laboratory, where it was determined that the substance contained within was ricin, a poison which does not have an antidote.
Liverpool Crown Court was told that when police searched the killer’s room they found 150 castor beans which can be used to make the poison ricin.
Police searched Rudakubana’s room, uncovering weapons and the means to make ricin. (Merseyside Police)
Officers also found a pestle and mortar, funnels and a flask that contained a residue in which ricin was found, with the items having been bought of Amazon in 2022.
The court heard that these items were used for a ‘crude preparation of ricin’, and that there would have been enough to make up to 12,500 lethal doses of the poison had he continued manufacturing it, though prosecutors told the court there was no evidence Rudakubana used the poison.
A judge said that Rudakubana is unlikely to ever be released. (Merseyside Police)
While sentencing Rudakubana, Mr Justice Goose said: “There were 26 children at the party, all of them happy and enjoying themselves. He targeted those children for the horrific, extreme violence he was intent upon. It was such extreme violence of the utmost seriousness it was difficult to comprehend.
“I’m sure Rudakubana had a settled and determined intention to kill and would have killed all 26 children.
“Many who have heard the evidence and have seen the CCTV recordings might describe what he did as evil. Who could dispute it? On any view it was at least the most extreme, shocking and exceptionally serious crime.
Police found weapons, including blades. (Merseyside Police)
“The harm that Axel Rudakubana caused to each family, each child and to the community has been profound and permanent. The families of Bebe, Elsie and Alice will never recover. The lives of the families of the children who he tried to murder will never be the same.
“It’s likely he will never be released and will spend the rest of his life in custody.”
Featured Image Credit: Merseyside Police
Joe Harker
Axel Rudakubana pleads guilty to murder of three young girls after Southport attack
The 18-year-old was charged with murdering three young girls in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class
The 18-year-old charged with murdering three young girls in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport has pleaded guilty.
On the first day of trial at Liverpool Crown Court, Axel Rudakubana, 18, entered the guilty pleas.
He was charged with the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, who died in the attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at The Hart Space shortly before midday on 29 July.
Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice da Silva Aguiar (PA)
Rudakubana is accused of the attempted murders of eight other children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, class instructor Leanne Lucas, and businessman John Hayes in the same incident.
Cardiff-born Rudakubana was charged with 16 offences, including three counts of murder, and will be sentenced on Thursday.
As well as pleading guilty to possession of a knife, he also admitted 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 terrorism offence relates to a PDF file entitled Military Studies In The Jihad Against The Tyrants, The Al Qaeda Training Manual which he possessed between August 29, 2021 and July 30, 2024.
However, the attack in Southport has not been declared a terrorist incident despite the discovery of the document, Merseyside Police has said.
This comes after Alice’s parents issued an emotional tribute at the funeral service and said: “A good girl, with strong values and kind nature.
The 18-year-old was charged with murdering three young girls in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class (PA/Elizabeth Cook)
“A lover of animals and an environmentalist in the making. You moved our world with your confidence and empathy. Playful, energetic, friendly and always so respectful.”
Bebe King’s mother and father said she had been ‘taken from us in an unimaginable act of violence that has left our hearts broken beyond repair’.
“Our beloved Bebe, only six years old, was full of joy, light and love, and she will always remain in our hearts as the sweet, kind and spirited girl we adore,” they said.
Their older daughter witnessed the attack but managed to escape.
“She has shown such incredible strength and courage, and we are so proud of her,” her parents said.
Elsie’s parents, Jenni and David, also issued a heartfelt tribute to their daughter, a ‘devoted Swiftie’ who ‘brought light, love and joy to so many lives’.
“Elsie spent every day just simply enjoying life with determination, persistence, love and kindness,” they said.
“Elsie was an amazing little girl. She had the ability to light up any room that she entered, she was truly unforgettable.”
Additional words by Anish Vij.
Featured Image Credit: PA/Elizabeth Cook
Topics: Crime, Taylor Swift, UK News, Terrorism
Olivia Burke
breaking
Southport attack suspect Axel Rudakubana charged with terror offence and producing deadly poison ricin
He has been charged with a terror offence
The teenager who is accused of committing the fatal Southport stabbings which killed three children at a dance class has been charged with a terror offence and production of a deadly poison.
Nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and six-year-old Bebe King were stabbed to death at a Taylor Swift themed dance class in Southport on 29 July.
18-year-old Axel Rudakubana was arrested and accused of carrying out the stabbing, and he will appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (30 October) by videolink after his home was searched.
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy today (29 October) said in a press conference that a search of the accused’s house uncovered the poison known as ricin.
She said: “Searches of Axel Rudakubana’s home address resulted in an unknown substance being found. Testing confirmed the substance as ricin.
“We have worked extensively with partners to establish that there was a low to very low risk to the public and I want to make that reassurance clear today.
“I can also tell you that there was no Ricin present at Hart Street.”
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy (middle) said the Southport attack suspect had been charged with a terror offence. (PA)
Rudakubana has already been charged with the murders of the three girls, as well as the attempted murder of eight other children and two adults along with possession of a knife.
Chief Constable Kennedy said that the Southport attack hadn’t been declared a terrorist incident by counter-terror police.
She said: “I recognise that these new charges may lead to speculation.
“The matter for which Axel Rudakubana has been charged under the Terrorism Act does not require motive to be established. For a matter to be declared as a terrorist incident, motivation would need to be established.
“I would strongly advise anyone against speculating as to the motivation in this case. The criminal proceedings against Axel Rudakubana are live and he has a right to a fair trial.” Kennedy continued.
The police chief urged people not to engage in ‘rumour and speculation’, and said that the terror charge was made in connection to a PDF file titled Military Studies In The Jihad Against The Tyrants, which is an Al Qaeda training manual.
Emergency services attending the site of the Southport attack on 29 July. Officials said that ricin was found at the suspect’s home but not at the scene. (PA)
Senior medical adviser Dr Renu Bindra also said there was no evidence that anyone had been exposed to ricin at the Southport attack.
On that day on 29 July, Rudakubana is accused of entering the dance class being put on during the school holidays on Hart Street, Southport, and carrying out the fatal stabbings.
Two of the children he is accused of stabbing died at the scene, and Alice da Silva Aguiar was pronounced dead at Alder Hey Hospital in the early hours of the following day.
Significant demonstrations followed the Southport attack which then resulted in a series of riots.
Rudakubana has a provisional trial date for January 2025.
Featured Image Credit: Danny Lawson/PA Wire / PA
Joe Harker
breaking
Southport attack suspect Axel Rudakubana charged with terror offence and producing deadly poison ricin
He has been charged with a terror offence
The teenager who is accused of committing the fatal Southport stabbings which killed three children at a dance class has been charged with a terror offence and production of a deadly poison.
Nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and six-year-old Bebe King were stabbed to death at a Taylor Swift themed dance class in Southport on 29 July.
18-year-old Axel Rudakubana was arrested and accused of carrying out the stabbing, and he will appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (30 October) by videolink after his home was searched.
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy today (29 October) said in a press conference that a search of the accused’s house uncovered the poison known as ricin.
She said: “Searches of Axel Rudakubana’s home address resulted in an unknown substance being found. Testing confirmed the substance as ricin.
“We have worked extensively with partners to establish that there was a low to very low risk to the public and I want to make that reassurance clear today.
“I can also tell you that there was no Ricin present at Hart Street.”
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy (middle) said the Southport attack suspect had been charged with a terror offence. (PA)
Rudakubana has already been charged with the murders of the three girls, as well as the attempted murder of eight other children and two adults along with possession of a knife.
Chief Constable Kennedy said that the Southport attack hadn’t been declared a terrorist incident by counter-terror police.
She said: “I recognise that these new charges may lead to speculation.
“The matter for which Axel Rudakubana has been charged under the Terrorism Act does not require motive to be established. For a matter to be declared as a terrorist incident, motivation would need to be established.
“I would strongly advise anyone against speculating as to the motivation in this case. The criminal proceedings against Axel Rudakubana are live and he has a right to a fair trial.” Kennedy continued.
The police chief urged people not to engage in ‘rumour and speculation’, and said that the terror charge was made in connection to a PDF file titled Military Studies In The Jihad Against The Tyrants, which is an Al Qaeda training manual.
Emergency services attending the site of the Southport attack on 29 July. Officials said that ricin was found at the suspect’s home but not at the scene. (PA)
Senior medical adviser Dr Renu Bindra also said there was no evidence that anyone had been exposed to ricin at the Southport attack.
On that day on 29 July, Rudakubana is accused of entering the dance class being put on during the school holidays on Hart Street, Southport, and carrying out the fatal stabbings.
Two of the children he is accused of stabbing died at the scene, and Alice da Silva Aguiar was pronounced dead at Alder Hey Hospital in the early hours of the following day.
Significant demonstrations followed the Southport attack which then resulted in a series of riots.
Rudakubana has a provisional trial date for January 2025.
Featured Image Credit: Danny Lawson/PA Wire / PA
Joe Harker
breaking
17-year-old Southport stabbing suspect appears in court after being charged with murder
The suspect who has been accused of stabbing children at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Southport has appeared in court
The Southport stabbing suspect who has been charged with the murders of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club has appeared in court.
Arriving in a prison van with a large police escort of vans and cars, he appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’s Court this morning (1 August) and was remanded into youth detention accommodation.
Judge Hatton sent the case to the crown court.
He was brought into the dock around 11:45am, covering his mouth and nose with his jumper.
The 17-year-old suspect reportedly was asked to confirm his name but didn’t speak and then sat down with his head bowed.
Three children were fatally stabbed when a knifeman entered the dance class on Hart Street in Southport, Merseyside, on Monday.
Eight other children suffered knife wounds and two adults were also injured in the incident. This morning, two of the children injured were discharged with five others still being treated.
Bebe King, six. (PA)
Alder Hey said in a statement: “All the children in our care are currently in a stable condition. Our heartfelt sympathies remain with all those affected by Monday’s incident.”
“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,” Chief Constable of Merseyside Police Serena Kennedy said yesterday.
“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.”
Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven. (PA)
As heard in court this morning, the suspect turns 18 in six days.
He was born in Cardiff and lives in the village of Banks, just outside of Southport.
Sarah Hammond, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, added: “We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine. (PA)
This comes after riots have erupted throughout the country, including outside of a mosque in Southport on Tuesday.
Three police officers and three police dogs were injured in the riots.
Also, in Whitehall, London, bottles and cans were thrown at police who were in riot gear on Wednesday.
A Met Police spokesperson said: “Over 100 people have been arrested for offences including violent disorder, assault on an emergency worker, and breach of protest conditions.
“Some officers suffered minor injuries.”
Riots have been taken place throughout the country. (PA)
In Hartlepool, demonstrators set fire to a police car and pelted officers with missiles, including glass bottles. Cleveland Police have since made eight arrests.
Chief Superintendent David Sutherland said: “At this stage we believe the protest is in connection with the incident in Southport earlier this week.
“Our officers are facing missiles, glass bottles and eggs being thrown at them and have made arrests as they remain in the area to protect the safety of those living in the community.”
