Axel Rudakubana has also pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of eight other children and to the attempted murder of Leanne Lucas and Jonathan Hayes. He will be sentenced on Thursday.
British-born Rudakubana, who was 17 at the time of the incident, did not speak when asked how he pleaded at a hearing in December, so not-guilty pleas were entered by the judge, Julian Goose, on his behalf.Axel Rudakubana, an 18-year-old from Banks, Lancashire, admitted responsibility for a devastating knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport. On the first day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to the murder of three young girls. The victims, Alice da Silva Aguiar (9), Bebe King (6), and Elsie Dot Stancombe (7), tragically lost their lives in the shocking incident that unfolded at The Hart Space on July 29.
The attack occurred shortly before noon during a lively dance session. The brutal nature of the assault left the Southport community in shock, struggling to comprehend how such an act could happen in a setting meant to foster joy and creativity. Rudakubana, who was 17 years old at the time of the crime, was formally charged with the murders of the three young girls as well as the attempted murder of eight other children and two adults, Leanne Lucas and Jonathan Hayes.
During a prior hearing in December, Rudakubana remained silent when asked to enter a plea. As a result, not-guilty pleas were initially recorded by Judge Julian Goose on his behalf. However, his recent guilty plea on the opening day of the trial confirms his responsibility for these heinous crimes.
The court proceedings have gripped the public, with many seeking answers about the motivations behind such a senseless act. While further details about the trial and the circumstances surrounding the attack are expected to emerge, Rudakubana’s guilty plea has provided some measure of closure for the families affected.
Rudakubana is now awaiting sentencing, which is scheduled to take place on Thursday. The case serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerability of innocent lives and the importance of ensuring safety in spaces meant to inspire and nurture young 
minds.