17-year-old boy charged with murder in UK child killings

LONDON – A 17-year-old boy appeared in an English court on Aug 1 charged with

the murder of three young girls

in a knife attack at a summer dance class that has shocked the nation and sparked two nights of violent protests.

Axel Rudakubana first appeared at the Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on July 31 over the incident two days earlier at a Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance workshop, a summer vacation event for children in the seaside town of Southport.

He is charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and one of possession of a bladed article.

His case was later heard at Liverpool Crown Court, where he sat in the dock covering his face with a grey sweatshirt and did not speak to confirm his name.

Judge Andrew Menary lifted reporting restrictions on Rudakubana’s identity, which had not previously been reported as he is under 18. According to the BBC, the boy is due to turn 18 next week. Rudakubana was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing in October.

Large disturbances broke out in Southport, a town in England’s north-west, on July 30 after false information was spread on social media that the suspect behind the stabbings was a radical Islamist migrant, with anti-immigrant protesters descending on the town from elsewhere.

Police have said the attack was not terrorism-related and that the suspect was born in Britain, quashing speculation on his origins.

As well as the killing of three girls aged six to nine, the July 29 attack in the normally quiet town saw eight other children left with stab wounds.

Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust said in a statement on July 31 that two of the children had been discharged from hospital.

“We continue to treat five children involved in the devastating incident in Southport on Monday, including one recently transferred to us from Aintree University Hospital,” the trust said. “All the children in our care are currently in a stable condition.”

In London on July 31, thousands gathered near the prime minister’s Downing Street residence, shouting “Save our kids”, “We want our country back” and “Stop the boats”, as well as English football chants.

London’s Metropolitan Police said on Aug 1 that 111 people had been arrested for offences including violent disorder and assaults on police officers.

“While these charges (against Rudakubana) are a significant milestone within this investigation, this remains very much a live investigation,” Chief Constable Serena Kennedy told a press conference shortly after midnight.

‘Violent thugs’ to feel ‘full force of the law’

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has denounced as “violent thugs” those who clashed with police over the knife attack, saying they would “feel the full force of the law”.

More than 50 police officers were hurt in the protests in Southport on July 30, when demonstrators set police vans on fire and dismantled garden walls to hurl bricks at officers.

In London on July 31, protesters threw flares and smoke canisters towards Downing Street.

The locals in Southport have denounced the violence.

“What I saw last night was absolutely appalling... It was devastating and it’s kind of taken away from actually what’s gone on, which is the tragedy of those deaths,” resident David Burgess told Sky News.

Hundreds of people in the community have taken part in vigils to mourn the slain children, and laid bouquets of flowers at the site of the incident.

Mr Starmer, Britain’s former chief prosecutor who was elected prime minister on July 4, was due to meet police leaders on Aug 1 to offer them the government’s full backing following the violence.

“While the right to peaceful protest must be protected at all costs, he will be clear that criminals who exploit that right in order to sow hatred and carry out violent acts will face the full force of the law,” Mr Starmer’s office said.

Swift’s fans have so far raised more than £270,000 (S$462,000) to help families of the victims and for the hospital where some of the children were being treated.

The American singer has said she is in shock over the “loss of life and innocence” and at a “complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families”. REUTERS