In London on January 20, a British teenager is set to stand trial on Monday for a knife attack in Southport, northern England, last July. The crime, which shook the nation, led to widespread rioting.
The accused, 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana, is charged with the murder of three children aged 6, 7, and 9 at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in the peaceful seaside town. Additionally, he faces 10 counts of attempted murder, and charges related to possessing and producing an al Qaeda training manual.
The trial, scheduled to last four to six weeks at Liverpool Crown Court, will only present the prosecution's evidence and witnesses, as Rudakubana's lawyer Stan Reiz has indicated they will not present a defense. At the age of 17 during the incident, Rudakubana, born in Britain, did not address the court regarding his plea, leading the judge to enter not guilty pleas on his behalf.
Although the police have ruled out terrorism, false reports on social media triggered unrest in Southport. The violence spread nationwide, resulting in attacks on mosques and properties housing asylum seekers. Prime Minister Keir denounced the "far-right thuggery," which led to over 1,500 arrests.
Authorities have cautioned against publishing or posting any prejudicial content on social media that could impact the trial, with potential prosecution for those in breach.