The Seventeen-Year-Old has been named as Axel Rudakubana

Axel Rudakubana, a 17-year-old from Banks, has been publicly identified for the first time following his appearance at Liverpool Magistrates' and Crown Court. Rudakubana faces charges in connection with the tragic stabbing deaths of three young girls—Bebe King (6), Elsie Dot Stancombe (7), and Alice Dasilva Aguiar (9)—during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at the Hart Space in Southport on Monday.

Initially, legal restrictions prevented the press from naming Rudakubana. However, the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Andrew Menary KC, granted a media request to lift the reporting restrictions, allowing the suspect's identity to be revealed.

Rudakubana, who will turn 18 next Wednesday, would have been named automatically under Section 45 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 upon reaching adulthood. The media can now legally identify him as the suspect in Monday's horrific incident.

During his court appearance, Rudakubana covered his face with a prison-issued jumper. In addition to the murder charges, he faces 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in a public place. Judge Menary has remanded him to youth accommodation detention pending the completion of legal proceedings.

A potential trial date has been set for January 20th next year, with a plea hearing scheduled for October 25th. Judge Menary addressed the defendant, stating, "Mr. Rudakubana, I am going to adjourn this matter now. The next hearing, as far as you are concerned, is a plea and trial preparation hearing on October 25th. You, as I have already indicated, will now be remanded into secure accommodation. You may go with the officer."

Furthermore, Judge Menary has enforced an order restricting the identification of the children listed as victims in the attempted murder charges, ensuring their privacy is protected.

The Sefton community remains in shock over this tragic event, and our thoughts are with the families of the victims during this incredibly difficult time.