Southport ‘striker’ Axel Rudakubana refuses to speak in court for the third time

The alleged Southport attacker has again refused to speak after appearing in court for a third time charged with the murder of three young girls in Southport, producing a biological poison and a terror crime.

Axel Rudakubana allegedly committed a knife attack during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in July.

He is also accused of possessing a military study of an al-Qaeda training manual and making a biological poison called ricin.

Mr Rudakubana, who is now 18 but was 17 at the time of the attack, denied responsibility for the murders of Bebe King, aged six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine.

Mr Rudakubana is also charged with the attempted murder of yoga class instructor Leanne Lucas, businessman John Hayes and eight children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and with possessing a knife.

On Wednesday he appeared at Liverpool Crown Court via video link from HMP Belmarsh, wearing a gray tracksuit.

He covered his face with his sweater and said nothing when asked to confirm his name or confirm that he understood what was said.

Deanna Heer KC, prosecuting, said: “As regards the identity of the suspect, he has taken the same position on every occasion to date.”