The teenager accused of killing three young girls in Southport stabbing spree stayed silent once more as he appeared in court to face murder and terror charges.
Axel Rudakubana, 18, is accused of murdering Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29.
He is also charged with ten counts of attempted murder against eight children and two adults, as well as possession of a knife in the incident.
Two weeks ago, new charges were announced against Rudakubana, that he had allegedly made the toxin ricin and possessed an Al Qaeda training manual.
On Wednesday, Liverpool crown court heard prosecutors bringing the case against Rudakubana say the stabbings were not “in furtherance of terrorism”.
Deanna Heer KC, the lead prosecutor, told the hearing: “Two sets of offences were separately sent to the court. The first sent to this court were in respect of events on July 29 – three counts of murder, ten charges of attempted murder, and an offence of possession of a bladed article.
“That was last before the court on August 1. Since that time, the defendant has been charged with further offences, of producing a biological toxin and possession of a document likely to be useful to a person committing acts of terrorism.”
Mr Justice Goose, overseeing the hearing, set out: “What the prosecution has – as I understand you to say – satisfied itself that the existing offences are not being asserted to be in furtherance of terrorism.”
Ms Heer replied: “That is the position.”
Rudakubana, from Banks in Lancashire, covered part of his face with his prison-issue grey jumper as he appeared for the court on a videolink from HMP Belmarsh.
Similarly to previous court hearings, he stayed silent and refused to confirm his name or even raise his hand to acknowledge that he could hear the judge.
"As far as the identification of the defendant is concerned, he has taken the position he has on every occasion he has appeared so far”, said Ms Heer.
Rudakubana has not yet entered any pleas.
The stabbings were the spark for a week-long wave of rioting and disorder that spread to towns and cities across the country, with mis-information being spread online about the identity of the suspected attacker.
It is now alleged he produced ricin prior to the stabbing spree, and allegedly had a pdf file of a terror document titled: “Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants: The Al-Qaeda Training Manual”.
He is accused of entering the school holiday dance class at a small business park in Southport shortly before midday on July 29.
Rudakubana’s case is set down for a trial to start on January 20, lasting up to six weeks.
A further hearing will take place on December 12, when Rudakubana is expected to be asked to enter pleas to the charges.
He has been remanded in custody since his arrest.
As the hearing concluded, the judge said: “Mr Rudakubana can you hear me? Just raise your hand if you can hear me.”
When the defendant did not respond, he continued: “Well I know you can hear me because the officer behind you said I can be heard. You are next required to attend on the twelfth of December. Your trial will be listed for the 20th of January, with a time estimate of four to six weeks. Thank you.”
Family members and friends of the victims packed out the courtroom, with all but one of the journalists having to watch proceedings over a videolink.
