Axel Rudakubana admits murdering three girls in knife attack at dance class

A man has pleaded guilty to murdering three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.

Axel Rudakubana, 18, had previously refused to enter a plea when he appeared in court in December.

But on the first day of his trial today, he pleaded guilty to three counts of murder and the attempted murder of eight other children as well as two adults – Leanne Lucas and Jonathan Hayes.

Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, died following the attack in The Hart Space in the Merseyside town before midday on July 29.

Rudakubana, of Banks, Lancashire, will be sentenced on Thursday.

This is a breaking story….

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE: Model attacks three police officers, two bouncers and a woman on night out

MORE: British teen jailed for having sex in Dubai spent birthday and New Year alone

MORE: Mum of baby murdered by his dad fighting to keep him locked up