Southport suspect remains silent as he appears in court and faces new charges

The teenager accused of fatally stabbing three girls at a dance class in Southport remained silent and did not answer questions as he appeared in court to face new charges.

Axel Rudakubana, of Old School Close in Banks, Lancashire, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court via videolink from HMP Belmarsh on Wednesday morning for a hearing lasting less than ten minutes, holding his jumper over the lower half of his face.

The 18-year-old, born in Cardiff, faces the additional charges of production of a biological toxin, ricin, and possession of information likely to be useful to someone committing or preparing to commit a terrorist act.

Stan Reiz KC, defending, said: “Mr Rudakubana has also remained silent during previous hearings.

“For his own reasons, he chose not to answer the question.”

The lawyer confirmed his client’s identity and the proceedings continued.

Addressing the defendant later at the hearing, the chief magistrate, District Judge Paul Goldspring, asked if the teenager would nod to indicate his understanding, but he did not respond.

She confirmed to the judge that the cases were “related”.

Judge Goldspring remanded Rudakubana in custody on the new charges and sent the case to Liverpool Crown Court on November 13 for a plea and trial preparation.

He said: “The Public Prosecution Service will ask the judge to connect the cases.”

Rudakubana has already been charged with the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, who were stabbed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Hart Street, Southport, Lancashire, on July 29. as well as the attempted murder of eight other children, instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes, and possession of a knife.