The Los Angeles Post
U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: March 27, 2025
Today: March 27, 2025

Teen charged in UK dance class stabbings pleads not guilty to murder

Britain Children Stabbed
December 18, 2024

LONDON (AP) — A teen charged with killing three girls and wounding 10 other people in a stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England this summer remained silent in court Wednesday as not guilty pleas were entered on his behalf.

Axel Rudakubana, 18, who has refused to speak in each court appearance, was read the charges of three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and additional charges related to possessing the poison ricin and for having an al-Qaida manual.

Justice Julian Goose ordered a clerk to enter the pleas in Liverpool Crown Court as Rudakubana stayed mum during a video appearance from a London prison where he is held.

Teen charged in UK dance class stabbings pleads not guilty to murder
Britain Children Stabbed

His trial is scheduled for Jan. 20.

It was the first time in a court appearance that the teen did not pull his sweatshirt collar over his nose to obscure his face.

He appeared to smile as an officer confirmed that the court proceeding could be heard at the prison. The judge noted that Rudakubana was not responding. He swayed from side to side as the charges were read and bent forward at one point.

Rudakubana was charged in August with murdering three girls — Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6 — and stabbing 10 other people on July 29 in the seaside town of Southport in northern England.

Teen charged in UK dance class stabbings pleads not guilty to murder
Britain Children Stabbed

The attack at a small dance and yoga studio on the first day of summer vacation sparked rioting across England and Northern Ireland fueled by far-right activists that lasted a week.

The violence, which injured more than 300 police officers and led to fiery attacks on hotels housing migrants, began after Rudakubana — then unnamed –- was falsely identified as an asylum seeker who had recently arrived in Britain by boat.

Rudakubana was born in Wales to Rwandan immigrants.

More than 1,200 people were arrested for the disorder that lasted a week and hundreds have been jailed for up to nine years in prison.

A report released Wednesday was critical of police for failing to recognize the threat of violent disorder after a number of smaller incidents across the U.K. in the previous two years.

The report from the Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services said there were also lapses in gathering intelligence from social media and the dark web.

Rudakubana was charged in October with additional counts for production of a biological toxin, ricin, and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism for having the manual in a document on his computer.

Police have said the stabbings have not been classified as acts of terrorism because the motive is not yet known.

Related Articles

Texas man who backed Islamic State acted alone in New Orleans attack, FBI says New Orleans attacker discussed plans to kill his family and join ISIS in chilling recordings. Here’s what we know Stabbing attack on woman in Israeli city of Herzliya Teen charged in UK dance class stabbings pleads not guilty to murder
Share This

Popular

Americas|Arts|Crime|Political|World

Photographer with exclusive access to El Salvador prison explains what he witnessed

Photographer with exclusive access to El Salvador prison explains what he witnessed
Americas|Crime|Political|US

'Nazis got better treatment': Judge criticizes Trump administration's use of Alien Enemies Act

'Nazis got better treatment': Judge criticizes Trump administration's use of Alien Enemies Act
Crime|Entertainment|Fashion and Beauty|US

Joey Jackson on Luigi Mangione’s case and potential fashion influence

Joey Jackson on Luigi Mangione’s case and potential fashion influence
Americas|Crime|Political|World

Brazil ex-President Bolsonaro will stand trial over an alleged coup plan. Here’s what happens next

Brazil ex-President Bolsonaro will stand trial over an alleged coup plan. Here’s what happens next

Europe

Business|Economy|Europe|Finance|Political|Stock Markets|US

German auto shares seen lower after Trump announces 25% tariffs

German auto shares seen lower after Trump announces 25% tariffs
Europe|Lifestyle|World

Crowds flock to newest Catholic saint in Assisi — a millennial teen whose ordinariness is the draw

Crowds flock to newest Catholic saint in Assisi — a millennial teen whose ordinariness is the draw
Europe|Political|US|World

NATO clarifies comments that four missing US soldiers had died during training in Lithuania

NATO clarifies comments that four missing US soldiers had died during training in Lithuania
Business|Economy|Europe|Finance|Political

Trump tariffs loom over Britain's debt-laden economy

Trump tariffs loom over Britain's debt-laden economy

Access this article for free.

Already have an account? Sign In