Date Axel Rudakubana will be sentenced after admitting Southport murders
Axel Rudakubana will be sentenced this week after admitting the murders of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Da Silva Aguiar in the Southport stabbings.
The 18-year-old, of Banks in West Lancashire, was due to stand trial at Liverpool Crown Court this morning, Monday, accused of murdering the three little girls, who died aged six, seven and nine respectively after they were stabbed to death during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
However in court today Rudakubana pleaded guilty to all charges including the murders of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Bebe King and Alice da Silva Aguair. He pleaded guilty to eight counts of attempted murder in relation to children, who cannot be named.
He has also pleaded guilty to the attempted murders of Leanne Lucas and Jonathan Hayes and guilty to possession of a bladed article in a public place, namely a kitchen knife with a curved blade.
READ MORE: Axel Rudakubana admits Southport stabbing murders
READ MORE: Axel Rudakubana murder trial updates as Southport stabbings accused pleads GUILTY
He has also pleaded guilty to production of a biological toxin, namely ricin, and possession of information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, namely a PDF file entitled "Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants: The Al-Qaeda Training Manual".
Rudakubana will now be sentenced at the same court on Thursday this week. Justice Goose said: "Axel Rudakubana you can hear me I know. You have now pleaded guilty to this indictment to each of the charges upon it. The next stage is for sentence.
"That will take place on Thursday. In the meantime you must keep in touch with your barristers, solicitors and the intermediary in order for you to receive any advice or assistance.
"You will understand it's inevitable that a life sentence will be imposed upon you. In the meantime, you go with the officers and be produced at that hearing at 11 o'clock on Thursday. Take him down." Rudakubana was escorted to the cell by the dock officers.
Justice Goose said: "I am conscious that family members are not here today. I assume because it was anticipated that the guilty plea would be tomorrow." Prosecution KC Deanna Heer said: “I think we had all anticipated that.”