18/12/24
Southport stabbing suspect Axel Rudakubana, 18, pleads not guilty to killing three children and harming 10 others at Taylor Swift-themed dance class
A teenager accused of killing three children in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class has appeared in court.
Axel Rudakubana, of Banks, Lancashire, is charged with the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine; Bebe King, six; 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 on Wednesday morning.
The teenager 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 is also charged with possession of a knife, production of a biological toxin, ricin, and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism.
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.
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