No further charges are being considered in the investigation into the Southport knife attacks, police have said. Axel Rudakubana was 17 when he murdered three young girls and severely injured 10 others - including eight children - at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the Merseyside town on 29 July 2024. After Rudakubana, from Banks in Lancashire, wassentenced in January to a minimum of 52 yearsin custody, Merseyside Police said it was investigating whether anyone had assisted him or failed to prevent his crimes. Now the force has said that "after a comprehensive review... no further charges will be brought at this stage". In a statement, Merseyside Police said: "During the course of the criminal investigation into the Southport murders, a number of lines of enquiry were pursued. "Some of the aspects of the investigation allowed for consideration of charges against those who may have assisted Axel Rudakubana or failed to prevent his crimes. "Post-trial, the force conducted a comprehensive review of all of the material available and considered it in the light of the case law and statutory offences that may have been applicable. "As a result, it has been determined that no further charges will be brought at this stage." Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Bebe King, six, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, died in the attack. In addition to eight other children, two adults - dance class leader Leanne Lucas and businessman Jonathan Hayes – were seriously wounded. A public inquiry into the attacks began in April. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper appointed former Court of Appeal vice-president Sir Adrian Fulford to chair the inquiry. The two-phase review will look at policing, the criminal justice system, and the agencies that were involved with Rudakubana. The second phase of the inquiry will focus on the wider issues of young people being drawn into extreme violence. Listen to the best ofBBC Radio Merseyside on Soundsand follow BBC Merseyside onFacebook,X, andInstagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
No further charges over Southport knife attacks
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"Police Conclude Investigation into Southport Knife Attacks with No Further Charges"
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TruthLens AI Summary
The investigation into the Southport knife attacks, which resulted in the tragic deaths of three young girls and severe injuries to ten others, has concluded with no further charges being considered. Axel Rudakubana, who was 17 at the time of the attack on July 29, 2024, was sentenced to a minimum of 52 years in custody for his crimes at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Merseyside. Following his sentencing in January, Merseyside Police explored whether others had assisted Rudakubana or failed to intervene. However, after a thorough review of the available evidence and applicable laws, the police announced that they would not pursue additional charges at this time, stating that they considered multiple lines of inquiry during the investigation.
The attack claimed the lives of seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, six-year-old Bebe King, and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar. In addition to the fatalities, eight children and two adults, including dance class leader Leanne Lucas and businessman Jonathan Hayes, sustained serious injuries. In response to the attack, a public inquiry was initiated in April, led by Sir Adrian Fulford, a former vice-president of the Court of Appeal. This inquiry will consist of two phases, examining the roles of policing and the criminal justice system, as well as the agencies involved with Rudakubana. The second phase aims to address broader issues related to youth involvement in extreme violence, underscoring the need for a comprehensive understanding of the factors that contribute to such tragic incidents.
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