Every word Crown Prosecution Service said outside court after Axel Rudakubana pleads guilty
The Crown Prosecution Service described the stabbings carried out by Axel Rudakubana as an attack of "savagery and senselessness". Ursla Doyle, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor with CPS Mersey-Cheshire spoke outside Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, January 20.
It comes after Rudakubana admitted to carrying out 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 today 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, Bebe and Alice. He pleaded guilty to ten counts of attempted murder in relation to eight children, who cannot be named and two adults - Leanne Lucas and Jonathan Hayes. He also pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article in a public place, namely a kitchen knife with a curved blade.
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Rudakubana has also admitted the 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. Following his guilty pleas, the CPS issued a statement outside court.
Ms Doyle said: "Axel Rudakubana has today pleaded guilty to the murder of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Bebe King, and Alice da Silva Aguiar – as well as the attempted murder of ten others – including Leanne Lucas and John Hayes. This was an unspeakable attack – one which left an enduring mark on our community and the nation for its savagery and senselessness.
"At the start of the school holidays, a day which should have been one of carefree innocence; of children enjoying a dance workshop and making friendship bracelets, became a scene of the darkest horror as Axel Rudakubana carried out his meticulously planned rampage.
"It is clear that this was a young man with a sickening and sustained interest in death and violence. He has shown no sign of remorse. The prosecution was determined to prove his guilt and I am deeply grateful that today’s plea has spared the families at the heart of this case the pain of having to relive their ordeal through a trial.
"Today, our thoughts are with all those whose lives were altered by what happened on that day. Most of all, we think of Elsie, Bebe, and Alice – the three beautiful young girls whose lives were cut short – and wish strength and courage to the families who loved and cherished them. Thank you."