The man previously charged with murder after stabbing three children at a Taylor Swift-themed event in Southport, England, in July has pleaded guilty to the violent acts.
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Axel Rudakubana, who was 17 when the attack took place, pleaded guilty to murdering Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9. The girls and some other children were at The Hart Space yoga studio for the Taylor Swift-themed event, which was advertised for children between the ages of 6 and 11.
Eight other children had suffered stabbed wounds. Two adults, one of whom was yoga teacher Leanna Lucas, were listed in critical condition after she was injured in the attack.
Sky News reported that Rudakubana pleaded guilty to the murders while appearing at Liverpool Crown Court for the first day of his trial on Monday, Jan. 20. He didn’t stand or confirm his name.
Rudakubana also pleaded guilty to charges of producing ricin and possessing an al Qaeda training manual. The document was allegedly discovered in his home in Banks, Lancashire, days after the attack.
He further admitted to 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a kitchen knife.
“You will understand it is inevitable the sentence to be imposed upon you will mean a life sentence,” The judge, Justice Goose, told Rudakubana. The sentencing will take place on Thursday, Jan. 23.
However, Rudakubana is not expected to be given a life sentence because he wasn’t an adult at the time of the attack.
Judges can impose a life sentence on those who were 21 and old at the time of the offense. It can only be considered for those between the ages of 18 and 21 in “exception circumstances.”
A Witness of the Taylor Swift-Theme Event Stabbing Recalls the Devastating Moments of the Attack
During the trial, Briony, who hosted the Taylor Swift-themed event, recalled the devastating moments of the attack.
“I’m still in shock,” Briony said. “I don’t think I’ve completely processed it yet. I know a lot of people are definitely still in shock as well because it was in front of them that it happened.”
Briony recalled being on the phone with her mother when she heard the first screams. She said her front window felt like a “giant TV screen” as she watched the terror unfold.
“I remember the parents turning up. They were abandoning the cars and running down the road screaming,” she said. “I’ll never forget that sound, just absolutely horrendous.”