A 17-year-old teenager has been charged with the murder of three young girls and the attempted murder of ten others during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport. The court heard today that the suspect used a “curved kitchen knife” in the brutal attack.

The accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is charged with murdering Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine. He also faces charges of ten counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article. The teenager appeared in Liverpool City Magistrates’ Court this morning, where he was remanded into youth detention accommodation.

During the brief five-minute hearing, District Judge James Hatton presided as the defendant, dressed in a baggy grey tracksuit and black slippers, kept his head low and pulled his sweatshirt above his nose. He did not speak throughout the proceedings but glanced back at the group of around 20 reporters seated behind the dock.

The suspect arrived at the court around 9:30 am in a white prison van, escorted by a large convoy of at least eight police vehicles amid concerns of potential protests following Monday night’s riots.

!The large police presence at the court is a precaution against potential unrest, following riots that have erupted across the country in recent days. More than 100 people were arrested in London last night during a far-right protest in Whitehall, with further disturbances reported in Hartlepool, Manchester, and Aldershot.

Tuesday night saw an angry mob take to the streets of Southport after a vigil to remember the victims of the mass stabbing at the dance workshop, which was attended by 25 children. The defendant, born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents, is accused of entering the dance studio on Hart Street and attacking both children and adults present on Monday afternoon.

In addition to the three fatalities, eight other children sustained knife wounds, with five remaining in critical condition. Two adults who attempted to protect the children, dance teacher Leanne Lucas, 35, and businessman John Hayes, were also seriously injured.

Merseyside Police released a statement confirming the charges: “We can confirm that a 17-year-old boy from Banks has been charged with the murders of Bebe, Elsie Dot, and Alice; ten counts of attempted murder; and possession of a bladed article, following the tragic incident in Southport on Monday, 29 July. The 17-year-old cannot be named for legal reasons, as he is under 18. He has been remanded in custody to appear tomorrow, Thursday 1 August at Liverpool Magistrates Court, Derby Square.

Chief Constable Serena Kennedy remarked on the significance of the charges: “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). 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.

  

False claims circulating online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who arrived in the UK by boat have fueled the riots in Southport and elsewhere. Following a vigil on Tuesday night, violence erupted outside a mosque in Southport, resulting in injuries to 53 police officers and three police dogs. Five men were arrested in connection with the incident.

Elsie’s mother, Jenni Stancombe, pleaded for calm 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.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the rioters, stating they had “hijacked” a vigil for the victims and would “feel the full force of the law.” Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the rioting as “violent attacks from thugs on the streets,” calling them “appalling.

In response, residents undertook a cleanup operation outside the mosque, repairing the damage caused by the unrest. Despite fears of further disorder, the seaside town remained quiet on Wednesday evening, although disturbances continued in other parts of the country. More than 100 arrests were made in London after crowds turned on police in Whitehall, throwing bottles and cans at officers in riot gear.