Southport Murder Suspect Charged With Terror Offence and Producing Ricin

Emergency services near the scene in Hart Street of a knife attack where three children died in Southport, England, on July 29, 2024. James Speakman/PA Wire

The suspect accused of the murder of three girls in a knife attack in Stockport last summer has been charged with a terror offence and producing ricin, police have said.

Axel Rudakubana, 18, has been charged with possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism.

The second charge is for the production of a biological weapon.

Rudakubana was charged under the Terrorism Act 2000 for possessing the PDF filed entitled “Military Studies in the Jihad Against the Tyrants, The al Qaeda Training Manual,” some time between Aug. 29, 2021, and July 30, 2024.

Police found the document during a search of the suspect’s home in Banks, Lancashire, in the days following the fatal stabbing of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven.

The 18-year-old was charged with producing ricin under the Biological Weapons Act 1974. The ricin was produced on or before July 29, police said, but it was not confirmed when it was found.

Rudakubana is already charged with the murders of da Silva Aguiar, King, and Stancombe, who were fatally stabbed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Hart Street, Southport, Merseyside, on July 29.

He is also charged with the attempted murder of eight other children, dance instructor Leanne Lucas, and businessman John Hayes, as well as with possession of a knife.

Knife Attack Not Terror

At a press conference on Tuesday, Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said that searches of Rudakubana’s home resulted in a substance being found, which was confirmed through tests as the toxin.

Kennedy said: “We have worked extensively with partners to establish that there was a low to very low risk to the public and I want to make that reassurance clear today.

“I can also tell you that there was no Ricin present at Hart Street.”

The police also confirmed that the Stockport attack has not been declared a terror incident, with Kennedy saying, “For a matter to be declared as a terrorist incident, motivation would need to be established.”

She explained that the terror offence he was charged with—possessing the al Qaeda document—does not require motive.

Kennedy urged people not to engage in “rumour and speculation,” as criminal proceedings are live.

“I would strongly advise anyone against speculating as to the motivation in this case,” the police chief said.

She added: “We must not lose sight of the families of Elsie, Bebe and Alice, who are still grieving, and the families and those victims who were present at Hart Street on July 29.

“We need to do the right thing to ensure that the justice process is not prejudiced.”

Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy announcing that Axel Rudakubana has been charged with a terror offence and producing the deadly poison ricin in Liverpool, England, on Oct. 29, 2024. Danny Lawson/PA Wire

‘Cover-up’ Denied

Kennedy also said that it was “certainly not the case” that police had decided to keep information about other potential offences from the public, saying police are committed to open justice.

The police chief’s comments come after claims that information had been intentionally withheld since the July 29 stabbings.

On Tuesday after the details of the latest charges were released, Conservative leadership candidate Robert Jenrick said, “Keir Starmer must urgently explain to the country what he knew about the Southport attack and when he learned it.”

“Any suggestion of a cover-up will permanently damage public trust in whether we’re being told the truth about crime in our country,” he said.

Jenrick’s rival Kemi Badenoch said there were “serious questions to be asked of the police, the CPS [Crown Prosecution Service] and also of Keir Starmer’s response to the whole situation.”

Downing Street denied that the government had been involved in the timing of the release of the charges, with the spokeswoman saying “charging decisions and when those are made are for the CPS.”

She also said it was “not correct” to say the government had been involved in withholding facts from the public.

Suspect Silent

Rudakubana appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court via videolink from Belmarsh prison on Wednesday for a hearing that lasted less than 10 minutes.

The 18-year-old did not respond when asked to confirm his name.

Court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook of Axel Rudakubana, 18, appearing by video-link from Belmarsh prison at London's Westminster Magistrates' Court, London, England, on Oct. 30, 2024. Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire

His barrister, Stan Reiz, KC, confirmed his client’s identity, saying Rudakubana had remained silent at previous hearings and “for reasons of his own he has chosen not to answer the question.”

Prosecutor Deanna Heer, KC applied for the new charges to “link up” with the other charges Rudakubana faces relating to the Southport stabbings.

A plea and trial preparation hearing will take place at Liverpool Crown Court on Nov. 13.

A provisional trial date has been set for January 2025.

PA Media contributed to this report.