Southport ‘triple killer’ caught with ‘Al-Qaeda manual and ricin’ – but cops still insist knife rampage was NOT terror
A TEEN accused of murdering three children at a Taylor Swift dance class has been charged with possession of a terror manual and producing a deadly poison.
Axel Rudakubana allegedly knifed Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar to death in Southport.
Eight other children suffered stab wounds in the horror in July, while two adults were also injured.
The 18-year-old was charged with three counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder.
He was also accused of possession of a bladed article - a curved kitchen knife allegedly used in the attack.
At a briefing today, it emerged Rudakubana has been charged with terrorism offences – although cops insist they are not treating the mass stabbing as a terror attack.
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The teen is accused of possessing an Al-Qaeda training manual that was allegedly found at his address.
He has also been charged with production of a biological toxin, namely ricin, contrary to section one of the Biological Weapons Act 1974.
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy confirmed there was none of the deadly poison present at the dance club.
She also said insufficient evidence has been identified by cops to declare terror as a motive for the attack but "enquiries continue".
Rudakubana, of Banks, Merseyside, will appear by video link at Westminster Magistrates’ Court tomorrow to face the fresh charges.
The teen, who has been remanded into custody, is next due in court on November 13 for a plea hearing over the Southport attack.
Rudakubana was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents and has an older brother.
He moved to Banks, a village in Lancashire located a few miles from Southport, in 2013.
The horror unfolded on July 29 as children enjoyed a Taylor Swift Yoga and Dance Workshop at a community centre.
Terrified witnesses described the rampage as a "horror film" as the teen allegedly stabbed children at random.
Hero dance teacher Leanne Lucas is understood to have been knifed in the arms, neck and back as she used her body to shield young girls from the knifeman.
Her colleague Heidi Liddle escaped uninjured after bravely locking some of the children inside a toilet.
Another adult, Jonathan Hayes, was stabbed in the leg as he tried to fend off the attacker after running into the class when he heard screams.
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The attack sparked riots across the country - despite the local community and families of the victims calling for calm.
It came after false claims were spread online that the alleged killer was an asylum seeker.
Police statement on terror charges
Chief Constable Kennedy said: “Today the Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Axel Rudakubana, aged 18, be charged with two further offences.
“The two further offences relate to evidence obtained by Merseyside Police during searches of his home address as part of a lengthy and complex investigation which has been ongoing since the 29th of July
“Following announcement of those charges today, I want to reassure the people of Southport and the communities of Merseyside that we are committed to justice for the families of those affected.
“We are also committed to being open and transparent in our communities. However, I do need to make sure that you do not prejudice this trial.
“You may have seen speculation online that the police are deciding to keep information from the public, this is certainly not the case.
“We have been given extensive guidance from the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure the integrity of the court proceedings are protected, and we are restricted and what we can share with you.
“Following the events of Monday, the 29th of July searches of his home address resulted in an unknown substance being found, testing confirmed the substance as ricin.
“We have worked extensively with partners to establish it was a low to very low risk for the public and I want to make that reassurance clear today. I can also tell you that there was no ricin in presents at the dance studio.
“When ricin was discovered, all necessary steps were taken to ensure no one was at risk. This was a multi agency response.
"At this time, Counter Terrorism Policing has not declared the attack on Monday 29 July a terrorist incident. I recognise that the new charges, may lead to speculation.
"The matter for which Axel Rudakubana has been charged with under the Terrorism Act does not require motive to be established. For a matter to be declared a terrorist incident, motivation would need to be established.
"Since 29th July, my officers and staff have been working diligently in conjunction with colleagues from Counter- terrorism and they are continuing to assess evidential material we have recovered to ensure all the evidence is available to the CPS, and the details of the case will come out in court.
“My plea is to be patient, don’t engage in rumour and speculation and don’t believe everything you read on social media.
“We must not lose sight of the families of Elsie, Bebe, and Alice, who are still grieving, and the families of those children and adults who were injured and affected by what happened on that day.
"We all need to do the right thing by them to ensure the justice process is not prejudiced."
