Southport homicide suspect Axel Rudakubana refuses to talk as not responsible pleas are entered on his behalf
- Axel Rudakubana is accused of killing three children in Southport, Merseyside
A teenager accused of killing three little girls in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class refused to speak today as not guilty pleas were entered on his behalf.
Axel Rudakubana, 18, is charged with the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, six-year-old Bebe King, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, who died following the stabbings at The Hart Space in Southport, Merseyside, shortly before midday on July 29.
He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court via videolink for a preparatory hearing this morning.
The teenager, from Banks, Lancashire, is charged with the attempted murder of eight other children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes.
He also failed to speak when charged with possession of a knife, production of biological toxin ricin, and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism.
Pleas of not guilty were entered to all 16 counts on the indictment.
Rudakubana appeared via videolink from HMP Belmarsh wearing a grey sweatshirt and moved his head from side to side at times as the charges were read to him.
A court sketch of Axel Rudakubana appearing in court via videolink from Belmarsh Prison on November 30
Alice Dasilva Aguilar, nine, was one of the victims of the fatal stabbings in Southport on Monday, July 29
Elsie Dot Stancome, seven, was also fatally wounded during the attack at a Taylor Swift themed dance class
Bebe King, six, was among the three young girls killed in the attack in Southport, Merseyside
Emergency services near the scene in Hart Street, Southport, of a knife attack where three children died
The teenager, unlike on previous hearings, did not cover his face with his sweatshirt during the hearing.
Instead, he sat slightly hunched, looking straight ahead at the camera on the videolink from HMP Belmarsh.
Mr Justice Goose twice asked him if he could hear proceedings from Liverpool Crown Court at the start of the hearing but Rudakubana did not respond.
A prison officer with him then confirmed audio could be heard in the room the defendant was seated in.
The judge then asked the clerk of the court to put each of the charges to the defendant, but each time Rudakubana did not respond.
About 15 family members, including Alice’s parents, were in the public gallery for the hearing.
He last appeared in court in November, when the case was adjourned.
The preparatory hearing was originally due to be held on December 12 but was delayed until this week.
A trial date has been set for January 20, with the case expected to last four to six weeks.
