Southport murder suspect Axel Rudakubana faces a single trial over the stabbing and more recent charges linked to the alleged discovery of ricin and an al-Qaeda manual at his home, ruled a court today.

Rudakubana, accused of murdering schoolgirls Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29, has not been invited to plead at the short hearing at Liverpool Crown. Court.

The 18-year-old is also charged with ten attempted murders – against two adults, dance instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes, and eight other children – as well as another possession charge. of an offensive weapon, specified in court as being a curved kitchen knife. .

None of the injured children can be named for legal reasons.

Separately, Rudakubana appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court a fortnight ago on additional charges relating to the alleged discovery of ricin and an Al-Qaeda manual at his family home in Banks, Lancashire, a village five miles north of Southport.

Southport suspect Axel Rudakubana, 18, seen via video link during an earlier court appearance

Rudakubana (pictured), from Banks in Lancashire, is accused of the murders of nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, six-year-old Bebe King, six, and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe.

During today’s 30-minute hearing at Liverpool Crown Court, Judge Julian Goose ruled that the two indictments should be consolidated and that Rudakubana should face a single trial, which would have take place on January 20 and would last four to six weeks.

The defendant, who was watching via video link from Belmarsh Prison, south-east London, was twice asked to confirm his name but refused to answer and sat in his gray prison tracksuit , the sweatshirt pulled over his mouth and nose.

A prison guard confirmed he could hear the proceedings and defense attorney Stan Reiz, KC, confirmed his identity.

Prosecutor Deanna Heer, KC, said: “He (Rudakubana) took the same position on every occasion. »

He will be asked to plead at a new hearing on December 12.

Remanding Rudakubana in custody, Judge Goose said: “You are then required to report on December 12. It will be before this court again. In the meantime, stay in touch with your solicitors, your lawyers, to prepare for the trial.

Rudakubana’s last appearance was on October 30 at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, to face charges relating to the alleged discovery of ricin and an Al-Qaeda manual at his family home in Banks, England. Lancashire, a village five miles north of Southport.

Left to right: Southport victims Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguia

Members of the community blow bubbles as people gather to mourn the victims of the Southport stabbing by holding a vigil on August 5.

The 18-year-old appeared at the hearing a fortnight ago, also via video link from HMP Belmarsh, with his prison sweatshirt over his mouth throughout the six-minute hearing and refused to speak when asked to confirm his identity.

Defense barrister Stan Reiz, KC, told Westminster Magistrates’ Court: “For his own reasons he chose not to answer questions.”

The court heard that Rudakubana faces additional offenses of producing a biological toxin, ricin, and possessing information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism.

Remanding Rudakubana in custody at the hearing on October 30, Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told him: “You will appear before Mr Justice Goose at Liverpool Crown Court in relation to these matters.”

Ms Heer, KC, prosecuting, said Rudakubana should be kept in custody “for fear of causing further offense and, frankly, for his own protection”.

The three girls who died attended the summer holiday club at Hart Space community center in Southport. Bebe and Elsie died the same day while Alice died in hospital the next day.

Rudakubana (pictured) was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents and moved to the Southport area in 2013. He was living in Banks, Lancashire, at the time of the attacks.

The day after the attack, thousands of people took part in a peaceful vigil, but another protest then descended into violence outside a mosque in the city.

The following week, protests and riots took place in dozens of cities across the UK, fueled by misinformation on social media, with asylum center hotels targeted.

More than 1,000 people were arrested and hundreds convicted.