Southport Dance Class Knife Attack Suspect Appears in Court

The 18-year-old man accused of carrying out a knife attack at a dance class in Southport has appeared in court.

Axel Rudakubana, of Banks, Lancashire, appeared via videolink for a plea and trial preparation hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday but he was not asked to enter any pleas to the 16 charges he faces.

Rudakubana appeared from HMP Belmarsh, seated with a single prison officer behind him and holding his grey sweatshirt over his face.

He did not speak as he was twice asked to identify himself as the hearing began, watched by around 20 family members of the victims sitting in the public gallery.

 Axel Rudakubana is charged with three counts of murder, 10 of attempted murder, possession of a knife, production of biological toxin, ricin, and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism.

His trial, set for January next year