Teenager to seem in court docket charged with Southport stabbing ‘murders’
A 17-year-old boy is set to appear in court today charged with the murder of three little girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.
The teenager, who cannot be named because he is under 18, is accused of murdering six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar.
The defendant, who is from the nearby village of Banks in Lancashire, but was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents, is accused of entering a dance studio in Hart Street and attacking children and adults who were inside on Monday afternoon.
Eight other children suffered knife wounds – with five left in a critical condition in hospital – while two adults who tried to save the young ones in the summer holiday club were also seriously wounded.
The teenager, who has also been charged with ten counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article, was arrested by police less than hour after the incident and will appear at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court later today.
Alice Dasilva Aguiar, aged nine, was one of three children killed by a knifeman at a Taylor-Swift themed dance class in Southport
Elsie Dot Stancombe, aged seven, was also fatally wounded in the attack which shocked the nation on Monday
Bebe King, aged six, was also killed in the attack. A teenager is set to appear in court charged with three counts of murder
Floral and written tributes are left alongside balloons and teddy bears at the scene of the stabbings on Hart Street, Southport
The youth’s identity has not been revealed because suspects under the age of 18 receive automatic anonymity in all UK court cases.
In a statement Merseyside Police said: ‘We can confirm that 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, 29 July.
‘The 17-year-old cannot be named for legal reasons, as he is under 18.
‘He has been remanded in custody to appear tomorrow, Thursday 1 August at Liverpool Magistrates Court, Derby Square.’
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: ‘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 Policing North West (CTPNW).
‘I would like to thank all of the forces who have offered and supplied support to Merseyside Police during the last three days and I can confirm that we are being supported with investigative resources from across the North West.’
The boy, who was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents, is from the village of Banks, just outside Southport.
Sarah Hammond, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: ‘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.’
Forensic officers are pictured at the scene as emergency crews battled to save children
Forensic officers on Hart Street in Southport, Merseyside, where a horrifying knife rampage took place
Emergency crews swoop on the area after a group of children were attacked at Taylor Swift-themed dance class
False claims online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat had sparked riots across Southport on Tuesday night, despite pleas from one of the victim’s mother’s for calm.
Thousands of people turned out to pay their respects to the victims at a vigil in Southport, but violence later erupted outside a mosque in the town with 53 police officers and three police dogs injured. Five men have been arrested following that incident.
After rioting broke out, Elsie’s mother, Jenni Stancombe, wrote on Facebook: ‘This is the only thing that I will write, but please please stop the violence in Southport tonight.
‘The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we don’t need this.’
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said rioters had ‘hijacked’ a vigil for victims and will ‘feel the full force of the law’, while Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the rioting as ‘violent attacks from thugs on the streets’, which she branded ‘appalling’.
On Wednesday, a clean up operation took place outside the mosque, with residents coming together to clear roads where fires had been set and rebuild walls which had been knocked down.
Police called in support from neighbouring forces in case of further disorder, but the seaside town appeared to remain quiet on Wednesday evening, however unrest developed in other areas of the country.
More than 100 people were arrested in London after crowds gathered in Whitehall turned on police, throwing bottles and cans at officers in riot gear.
The Southport mass stabbings have led to riots on the streets. Pictured: A police van is torched in Southport on Tuesday night
Southport burns: A street near a mosque goes up in flames as violent thugs took to the streets on Tuesday night
The riots came barely an hour after thousands of mourners gathered for a vigil at the Atkinson in Southport
Mourners leave floral tributes near the scene in Hart Street, where three children died and eight were injured in a ‘ferocious’ knife attack
Some were heard shouting the name of English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson, while others shouted ‘Rule Britannia’, ‘save our kids’ and ‘stop the boats’ and chanting ‘you’re not English any more’.
A Met Police spokesman 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.’
In Hartlepool, County Durham four people were arrested after violent protests broke out, with people detained for various offences after missiles, glass bottles and eggs were thrown at officers.
A police car was also set on fire before protesters posed for selfies with it.
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.’
