Teenager charged with Southport murders named as he appears in court

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A 17-year-old charged with the murder of three girls in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class has appeared in court, where a judge ruled he could be named. Judge Menary said: “Continuing to prevent the full reporting has the disadvantage of allowing others to spread misinformation, in a vacuum.” He added: “Whilst I accept it is exceptional, given his age, principally because he is 18 in six days’ time, I do not make an order under section 45.” Rudakubana, who lived with his Rwandan parents and has a brother, 20, is charged with the murder of Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, in Southport on Monday. “That position might change when you achieve your majority in a short while.” Earlier in the morning, Rudakubana appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court, which was sitting as a youth court where automatic reporting restrictions applied.