Pictured: Southport suspect, 17, named as Axel Rudakubana

Teenager charged with murdering three young girls at Taylor Swift-themed holiday club

The 17-year-old charged with murdering three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport can be named as Axel Muganwa Rudakubana after reporting restrictions were lifted.
On Thursday morning, the teenager appeared at Liverpool Crown Court charged with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder. He was remanded in custody.
Earlier on Thursday, Axel, from Banks, in Lancashire, had appeared in the dock at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court for a preliminary hearing.
Axel, who turns 18 on Aug 7, was born to Rwandan parents in Cardiff before moving to Banks.
He has been charged with the murders of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine; 10 counts of attempted murder; and possession of a bladed article, namely a “kitchen knife with a curved blade” following the attack on Monday.
The three children died after being stabbed while they were attending the Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga workshop.
Eight other children suffered stab wounds, with five in critical condition. Two children have been discharged from hospital.
Dozens of officers stood watch outside the courtroom after another night of violent protests across the country.
The teenager appeared at a hearing at Liverpool Crown Court, where Judge Andrew Menary KC, the Recorder of Liverpool, made the ruling.
Judge Menary said: “Continuing to prevent the full reporting has the disadvantage of allowing others to spread misinformation in a vacuum.
“Whilst I accept it is exceptional given his age, principally because he is 18 in six days time, I do not make an order under section 45.”
Previously, the teenager could not be named because of his age, but his anonymity would have fallen away next Wednesday when he turns 18.
Judge Menary heard arguments from the prosecution and defence and representations from the media about whether reporting of the defendant’s identity should be restricted until his 18th birthday.
Arguing against naming him, the prosecution said he had an “autism spectrum disorder diagnosis” and had been “unwilling to leave the house and communicate with family for a period of time”.
Axel, who spent the entire 55 minutes of the hearing covering his whole face, with his grey sweatshirt pulled up to his hairline, rocking back and forth and side to side at times, will next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Oct 25.
A provisional trial date, lasting six weeks, was scheduled for Jan 20 next year.
Judge Menary told the defendant, who did not acknowledge the judge and continued to keep his head down: “You are remanded to youth detention accommodation until these proceedings have been completed.
“That position might change when you achieve your majority in a short while.”