Axel Rudakubana has had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf regarding the charges of the Southport Taylor Swift dance class murders.
Earlier this summer, the 18-year-old was accused of being the attacker who fatally killed three children during a Swift-themed dance and yoga workshop on Hart Street. The three victims were six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar.
As reported by The Guardian, Rudakubana appeared at Liverpool Crown Court via video link from HMP Belmarsh, where he is being held. The accused attacker did not speak during the hearing and had the not-guilty pleas entered for him to the charges of the three murders as well as 10 counts of attempted murders for alleged attacks on eight other children and two adults.
He was also charged with 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.
At the time of his arrest, Rudakubana was 17 years old. According to police, he is originally from Cardiff and lived in the village of Banks close to Southport in Merseyside, England.
On July 30, Swift shared a handwritten statement addressing the attack on her Instagram Stories feed. “The horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport is washing over me continuously, and I’m just completely in shock,” she wrote.
“The loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families and first responders.”
The singer continued: “These were just little kids at a dance class. I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families.”
Swift, along with her mother Andrea, also took the time to meet some of the survivors at one of her ‘Eras’ tour shows at Wembley Stadium earlier this summer. The ‘Bejeweled’ singer and her mother took photos with two of the survivors backstage. The photos showed Swift with the two girls – one of which appears to have a bandage around her left forearm – posing together alongside Andrea.
A couple of Swift fans also went on to launch a fundraiser to help raise funds for those affected by the tragedy and raised over £394,000.
In a statement to the press, Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: “It is understood that the children were attending a Taylor Swift event at a dance school when the offender armed with a knife walked into the premises and started to attack the children.
“We believe that the adults who were injured were bravely trying to protect the children who were being attacked.”
In other news, Swift recently surpassed Drake to become the artist with the most wins at the Billboard Music Awards.
-
Lil Wayne Breaks Silence On Kendrick Lamar's "Wacced Out Murals" Reference
Weezy said he understands.
-
The Corrs announce 2025 UK and Ireland tour
The outdoor shows include support from Imelda May and Natalie Imbruglia
-
Kesha Channels Goddess Venus in Stunning ‘Rebirth’ Playboy Shoot
The star is the publication's Spotlight of the Month.
-
Drake Seemingly Unfollows Timbaland Over Antisemitic Insult
Drake appears to have unfollowed Timbaland on Instagram after the legendary producer appeared to make an antisemitic joke at his expense.
-
Priest Who Allowed Sabrina Carpenter ‘Feather’ Video Shoot at Church Relieved of Duties
Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello was forced to give up his post at the Brooklyn church after an investigation.
-
Tyler, The Creator is getting copyright strikes lifted so fans can react to ‘Chromakopia’ on social media
"Gonna make sure the block gets lifted," the rapper assured a fan on Instagram
-
Eminem Shares Sex Complaint In Wild Snoop Dogg 'Missionary' Promo
Eminem has called for society to get back to basics in the bedroom in a hilarious promo for his close friend Snoop Dogg’s latest album Missionary.
-
Papoose Responds To Fat Joe's Comments About Remy Ma Relationship Drama
Papoose has responded after Fat Joe weighed in on the domestic drama between him and his wife Remy Ma.
-
Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre's 'Missionary' Set For Disappointing First-Week Sales
Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre‘s Missionary is set to penetrate next week’s Billboard 200’s chart — just not as deep as they, or anyone else, were probably expecting.
-
Southport Taylor Swift dance class murders: not guilty pleas entered for suspect
The teen suspect pleaded not guilty for three charges for murder as well as 10 counts of attempted murder
-
Watch Cara Delevingne become Elton John for new ‘Step Into Christmas’ video
"I saw Cara at Glastonbury last summer, and we talked about how much we’d love to work together"
-
The Cure’s Robert Smith speaks out on viral Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame interview: “I felt bad about that actually”
"Actually...If I'm honest, I didn't realise that I was being filmed"
-
Royal Deb displays her Jamaican roots new reggae single “Somebody For Everybody”
Since Royal Deb was just a child in St. Ann, Jamaica, she has been immersed in the reggae music scene.
-
FP Relly releases one-two punch of hip-hop songs in “Enjoy the Life/Fast Money” off his newest album Perseverance Vol. 1.
Atlanta based rapper FP Relly has just dropped a brand new one-two punch of songs, complete with a music video, that will show how he enjoys life and strives to get that bag.
-
Indie Singer-songwriter Lizz Pens a Song for Healing in Latest Single ‘There’s A Place’
Singaporean singer-songwriter Lizz shares her recent single, “There’s A Place,” an ode to healing in the face of suffering and war.
-
Petty Human Emotions releases crowd pleasing rocker “Sadness,” off their new album Outside
Petty Human Emotions has released a fan favorite new single, “Sadness,” that singer and guitar-ist James Nardiello said is always a banger at their shows, and translates well onto record.
-
ASTAR Shines Brightly with Pop-Afro Single ‘TTL TTR’
Singer and philanthropist Astou Sandra Smith—better known as ASTAR—is set to release her latest single, “TTL TTR.”
-
T'Myh B Makes Falling in Love Fun Again with Latest Single ‘Honey’
Singer and songwriter Tamiyah Alexis Brown—known as T'Myh B—is doubling down on love with an upbeat single about taking the first step.
COMMENTS
Leave a comment