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3 months ago
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A 17-year-old boy has been charged with murder after three girls were stabbed to death at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on Monday.
The suspect, who cannot be named because he is under 18, has been charged with the murders of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar.
The teenager, who is from the nearby village of Banks, Lancashire, but was born in Cardiff, Wales, has also been charged with ten counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article.
He has been remanded in custody and will appear at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Thursday.
As well as the three fatalities, eight other children suffered stab wounds in the bloodbath when an attacker stormed the summer holiday club.
Five youngsters are in a critical condition, as are two women who bravely tried to save the children.
Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Ursula Doyle and Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy announce that a 17-year-old has been charged with murder
Bebe King, six, was the youngest child killed at the holiday club in Southport, Merseyside
Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, was also killed in the attack - her grieving mother has since called for calm
Forensic officers are pictured at the scene as emergency crews battled to save children
Forensic officers on Hart Street in Southport, Merseyside, where a horrifying knife rampage took place
Emergency crews swoop on the area after a group of children were attacked at Taylor Swift-themed dance class
The identity of the youth has not been revealed because suspects under the age of 18 have automatic anonymity in all UK court cases.
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: 'Whilst these charges are a significant milestone within this investigation, this remains very much a live investigation and we continue to work with our partners from Lancashire Police and Counter Terrorism Policing North West (CTPNW) to ensure we have as complete an understanding as possible of this matter.
'I would like to thank all of the forces who have offered and supplied support to Merseyside Police during the last three days and I can confirm that we are being supported with investigative resources from across the North West.'
Sarah Hammond, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: 'The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Merseyside Police to charge a 17-year-old male, of Banks, Lancashire, with three counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder following the tragic incident that took place in Southport this week.
'He will appear at Liverpool City Magistrates' Court on Thursday August 1, 2024.
'We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
'It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.
'Our thoughts remain with the families of all of those affected by these harrowing events.'
Detectives yesterday said they had been been given more time to question the suspect, who was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder after the attack.
False claims online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat has sparked riots across Southport on Tuesday night. And there was more violence in Hartlepool, London and Manchester on Wednesday.
The Southport mass stabbings have led to riots on the streets. Pictured: A police van is torched in Southport on Tuesday night
Southport burns: A street near a mosque goes up in flames as violent thugs took to the streets last night
The riots came barely an hour after thousands of mourners gathered for a vigil at the Atkinson in Southport
Mourners leave floral tributes near the scene in Hart Street, where three children died and eight were injured in a 'ferocious' knife attack
Southport locals - including Elsie's mother - have called for the violence to stop after police vans were torched and bricks were hurled in violence that left 53 officers injured in the seaside town.
Elsie's mother, Jenni Stancombe, wrote on Facebook: 'This is the only thing that I will write, but please please stop the violence in Southport tonight.
'The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we don't need this.'
Southport MP Patrick Hurley, speaking on Wednesday, said rioters must face the 'full force of the law', saying they were 'utterly disrespecting the families of the dead and injured children'.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said rioters had 'hijacked' a vigil for victims and will 'feel the full force of the law', while Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the rioting as 'violent attacks from thugs on the streets', which she branded 'appalling'.
The Southport riots came barely an hour after thousands of mourners had come together at a vigil to pay their respects to the victims.
It comes as more than 100 thugs in London were arrested for offences including violent disorder, assault on an emergency worker and breach of protest conditions.
Some among the crowd were heard shouting the name of English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson, while others shouted 'Rule Britannia', 'save our kids' and 'stop the boats'.
In Hartlepool, four people were arrested after violent protests broke out. People have been detained for various offences after protesters threw missiles, glass bottles and eggs at officers, police said.
A police car was also set on fire before protesters posed for selfies with it.
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