The teenager accused of the fatal stabbing of three girls at a Southport dance class has appeared facing fresh charges in court. Axel Rudakubana, 18, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court via videolink from HMP Belmarsh.
As reported by the Mirror, he sat holding his sweater over the bottom half of his face and did not respond when asked to confirm his name. A security officer with him at the prison told the court he had chosen not to speak.
Stan Reiz KC, defending, said: “Mr Rudakubana has remained silent at previous hearings as well. For reasons of his own he has chosen not to answer the question.”
Rudakubana faces the additional offences of 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.
Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC made reference to the murder and attempted murder charges the 18-year-old also faces. She told Westminster Magistrates’ Court Rudakubana is charged with “offences committed in Southport in July”.
Ms Heer said: “He is currently facing proceedings in Liverpool Crown Court. In respect of those matters, he is due to appear on November 13 for a plea trial and preparation hearing. And the Crown’s application would be for both of those matters to be sent directly to Liverpool Crown Court to link up with those matters.”
The chief magistrate, district judge Paul Goldspring, asked whether the matters were linked, to which Ms Heer confirmed they are. Chief magistrate district judge Paul Goldspring told the court the new charges were “related” to the counts Rudakubana already faces in relation to the Southport incident.
Judge Goldspring told the defendant: “They are related in the sense that they come out of the same facts.” He sent the case to Liverpool Crown Court where Rudakubana will appear on November 13 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
The judge added: “The prosecution will ask the judge to link up matters together.” Mr Goldspring told Rudakubana he would further be remanded in custody on the new charges.
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