A man has pleaded guilty to the murder of three girls in a horror knife attack at a Taylor Swift themed dance class in Southport last year.

18-year-old Axel Rudakubana, of Banks Lancashire, changed his plea on day one of a trial at Liverpool Crown Court and was charged with the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine; Bebe King, six; and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven; who were murdered as they took part in a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at The Hart Space shortly before midday on July 29.

He also admitted 10 counts of attempted murder, and single charges of possession of a knife, production of a biological toxin and possessing information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, reports the Mirror.

He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday morning and admitted all offences following the attack on July 29 last year.

He is due to be sentenced on Thursday.

Axel Rudakubana court case
Axel Rudakubana court case (Image: PA Media)

In July 2024, dance teacher Leanne Lucas was overseeing a Taylor-Swift themed dance class in Southport, Merseyside, when a knife-wielding male entered and attacked children and adults.

Bebe, Alice, and Elsie died after the stabbing at The Hart Space in Southport and their 35-year-old teacher suffered serious stab wounds as she attempted to protect the two girls.

Earlier on Monday, the Home Secretary said the whole country is thinking of the families of those killed in the horrific Southport incident as the man accused of their murders went on trial.

A vigil was held for the victims in August, 2024. (Image: Getty Images)

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “This will be a deeply traumatic and distressing time for the families of Alice, Bebe and Elsie, the survivors, and the people of Southport, and the whole country will be thinking of them.

“The most important thing for all of us is to ensure that the legal process can take its course, to respect the difficult job the court has to do, so there is a fair trial and justice can be done.

“There will be a time at the end of this trial to discuss what happened and the action needed in response to this horrific tragedy. But for now, and until the proceedings have concluded, the priority for all of us must be to ensure justice is done.”

Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond – Sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts


This will close in 0 seconds