The 17-year-old boy suspected of murdering three young girls in a knife rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class has been remanded in custody after appearing in court for the first time.
The teenager is charged with the murder of Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, Bebe King, 6, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, as well as the attempted murders of ten others and possession of a kitchen knife.
The horrifying incident unfolded on Monday at the Hart Space community centre in Southport, where a "Taylor Swift Yoga and Dance Workshop" for primary school pupils was underway.
Eleven children, including the three girls who died, suffered injuries, as well as two adults – including yoga teacher Leanne Lucas – who are said to have tried to protect the youngsters.
Five of the wounded children remain in hospital in critical condition, police have said.
The accused teenager appeared at Liverpool magistrates court on Thursday morning, when District Judge James Hatton remanded him into youth detention. The boy is due to appear before the Recorder of Liverpool in the crown court later on Thursday.
Deanna Heer KC, prosecuting, told the court: “The three counts of murder are the most serious and send it to the crown court. The attempted murders and possession of a bladed article all relate to the same incident and therefore should be sent as well.”
Around 20 members of the press were in court for the hearing, which took place in the youth court where automatic restrictions apply to the defendant’s identity as he is under the age of 18.
The accused teenager, wearing a baggy grey tracksuit and black slippers, looked at reporters and smiled when he was brought into court.
He used his left hand to pull his sweatshirt over his face above his nose and kept his head low during the short hearing.
He was first asked to confirm his name, address, and age, and sat quietly for the rest of the hearing which lasted less than ten minutes.
No one from the families of either the victims or defendant were in court.
The boy, who police have said was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents, is from the village of Banks, just outside Southport.
Sarah Hammond, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: “We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Thousands of people turned out to pay their respects to the victims at a vigil in Southport on Tuesday evening, but violence later erupted outside a mosque in the town with 53 police officers and three police dogs injured.
Five men have been arrested following the violence.
After rioting broke out, Elsie’s mother, Jenni Stancombe, wrote on Facebook: “This is the only thing that I will write, but please please stop the violence in Southport tonight.
“The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we don’t need this.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said rioters had “hijacked” a vigil for victims and will “feel the full force of the law”, while Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the rioting as “violent attacks from thugs on the streets”, which she branded “appalling”.
On Wednesday, a clean up operation took place outside the mosque, with residents coming together to clear roads where fires had been set and rebuild walls which had been knocked down.
Police called in support from neighbouring forces in case of further disorder, but the seaside town appeared to remain quiet on Wednesday evening, however unrest developed in other areas of the country.
Protesters, chanting “you’re not English any more” and throwing bottles and cans at police in riot gear, were detained on Whitehall.
A Met Police spokesman said: “Over 100 people have been arrested for offences including violent disorder, assault on an emergency worker, and breach of protest conditions.
“Some officers suffered minor injuries.”
In Hartlepool, County Durham, a police car was set alight and glass bottles and eggs were thrown at officers.
Chief Superintendent David Sutherland said: “At this stage we believe the protest is in connection with the incident in Southport earlier this week.
“Our officers are facing missiles, glass bottles and eggs being thrown at them and have made arrests as they remain in the area to protect the safety of those living in the community.”
