Authorities deny witholding information on Southport attacks
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Authorities have denied withholding information about the Southport attacks. Officers “wanted to say much more” but were advised not to as it could risk justice being delivered, Merseyside Police said. Full details of the prosecution case will be made public when child-killer Axel Rudakubana, 18, is sentenced on Thursday, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper defended prosecutors and said they had been clear that disclosing “important information” about Rudakubana’s past could jeopardise a fair trial. Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, died when Rudakubana attacked them at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the seaside town shortly before midday on July 29 last year.
He admitted their murders at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, as well as the attempted murders of eight other children who cannot be named for legal reasons, class instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes. After the hearing, the Chief Constable of Merseyside, Serena Kennedy, said: “There is no doubt in my mind that Merseyside Police has conducted a thorough and extensive investigation focused on bringing justice for the families.
“We have been accused of purposely withholding information, this is absolutely not the case. “From day one we have been as open as we possibly could and have constantly been in touch with the CPS who have advised us on what information could be released.
