The adolescent who is accused of stabbing three girls to death at a dance class in Southport has been charged with new crimes.
Axel Rudakubana, 18, appeared in Westminster Magistrates’ Court via videolink from HMP Belmarsh. He sat with his sweater over his lower face.
When he was asked to confirm his name, he did not respond, and a security guard who was with him at the prison told the court that he had decided not to speak.
In his defense, Stan Reiz KC said: Mr. Rudakubana has also avoided speaking at previous hearings.
“He has chosen not to answer the question for reasons of his own making.”
Rudakubana faces additional charges of producing a biological toxin known as Ricin and possessing information that could be useful to a person planning or committing a terrorist act.
Axel Rudakubana’s murder and attempted murder charges were mentioned by prosecutor Deanna Heer KC.
She informed the court at Westminster Magistrates’ that the 18-year-old is accused of “offences committed in Southport in July.”
Ms. Heer stated, “He is currently facing proceedings in Liverpool Crown Court.”
“He is scheduled to appear on November 13 for a plea trial and preparation hearing in regard to those matters.
“And the Crown’s request would be for both of those matters to be sent directly to Liverpool Crown Court to be linked with those matters,” the statement reads.
Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, who died after a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at the Hart Space on Monday July 29 in Southport.
District judge Paul Goldspring, the chief magistrate, inquired as to whether the two events were connected. Ms. Heer stated that they are.
The new charges, according to Chief Magistrate District Judge Paul Goldspring, are “related” to the ones Rudakubana already faces for the Southport incident.
The defendant was informed by Judge Goldspring: They are connected as in they emerge from similar realities.”
He referred the case to Liverpool Crown Court, where Axel Rudakubana will appear on November 13 for a hearing regarding his plea and trial preparation.
The judge concluded: The prosecution will request that the judge connect the dots.
Rudakubana was informed by Mr. Goldspring that he would be remanded in custody on additional charges.
Stan Reiz, the defense, did not support bail.
Before giving his verdict, District Judge Goldspring asked Rudakubana to nod to show that he could hear him.
He stated, ” Can you merely nod to indicate that you are able to hear me?”
The District Judge stated, “When Rudakubana did not nod. Okay, so I’ll go with the assumption that you can.”
He informed him that there are substantial grounds to believe he could commit additional offenses if released and that he will be at risk for his own safety when he remanded him in custody.
He added that the case will be heard on November 13 at Liverpool Crown Court.