Yoga teacher injured in Southport stabbings joins families in court as suspect appears for hearing

A yoga teacher seriously injured in the Southport stabbings was present as the suspect appeared in Liverpool Crown Court this afternoon. Leanne Lucas, who was hospitalised following the incident on July 29 this year, was among 20 people sat on the public benches as teenage suspect Axel Rudakubana appeared for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

The 18-year-old, of Banks in Lancashire, appeared before the court this afternoon, Wednesday, November 13 via video link to HMP Belmarsh. He is accused of murdering six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Da Silva Aguiar, who were killed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at the Hart Space on Hart Street, Southport.

Rudakubana is further charged with attempting to murder eight other children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and two adults - Ms Lucas and local businessman John Hayes - who were also stabbed during the incident. The teenager also faces a count of possession of a bladed article in a public place, namely a kitchen knife with a curved blade.

READ MORE: Axel Rudakubana covers his face and remains silent as he appears in court

He was charged with additional offences of 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", last month.

Wearing a grey prison issue tracksuit, the jumper of which he used to cover his face throughout the hearing, Rudakubana did not speak when twice asked to confirm his identity. Deanna Heer KC, prosecuting, told the court: "As far as the identification of the defendant is concerned, he has taken the position he has on every occasion he has appeared so far."

Carmel Wilde, defending, instead confirmed his identity on his behalf. Rudakubana was due to be arraigned today but was not ultimately asked to enter any pleas. Mr Justice Goose, presiding, formally joined the two separate indictments. He said the first 14 counts are "not asserted to be in furtherance of terrorism", which Ms Heer responded was correct.

Mr Justice Goose said: "There must be a preparatory hearing because of the section 58 offence." The judge told the court the defendant had “chosen” not to say anything and ordered a further preparatory hearing ahead of the trial to take place on December 12.

He added: “It is important the court and the public know what the issues are in this trial and the 12th of December hearing will allow that.” As he remanded the defendant in custody, he addressed Rudakubana directly.

He said: “Mr Rudakubana can you hear me? Just raise your hand if you can hear me.” The defendant did not respond. The judge added: “Well I know you can hear me because the officer behind you said I can be heard. You are next required to attend on the 12th of December. Your trial will be listed for the 20th of January, with a time estimate of four to six weeks."

Around 20 members of the public sat in court with most of the seats taken by family or friends of the adults or children involved in the attack. Ms Lucas, who was working as a dance teacher at the Hart Space, was hospitalised following the incident.

She was released from hospital before being readmitted later the same month. She underwent surgery before being released to continue her recovery. A fundraiser set up in her name has raised over £40,000 since the end of July.

Merseyside Police's Chief Constable Serena Kennedy previously told a press conference that the further charges laid on October 29 related to evidence obtained following searches of his home address on Old School Close. However, Counter Terrorism Policing have not declared the mass stabbing a terrorist incident.

Chief Constable Kennedy said of this: "The matter of 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."

Rudakubana has so far made three previous court appearances before Liverpool Magistrates' Court, Liverpool Crown Court and Westminster Magistrates' Court. He also did not speak to confirm his identity during any of these hearings.