Axel Rudakubana has had pleas of ‘not guilty’ entered on his behalf at Liverpool Crown Court today, after refusing to speak when arraigned for the murders of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice Aguilar and Bebe King.
Rudakubana made no audible response as he was arraigned of 16 different charges.
Appearing via videolink from HMP Belmarsh, Rudakubana is charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder, one charge of the production of ricin and one charge of possessing material likely to be useful to a terrorist.
Mr Justice Goose has entered ‘not guilty’ pleas on all counts, having confirmed at the beginning of the hearing that Rudakubana’s defence team had advised him the suspect was unlikely to reply to his arraignment.
Rudakubana will now be moved to a more “convenient place” for the purpose of attending his trial, which will begin on 20 January.
Adjourning the case, saying: “Axel Rudakubana, you can listen to what I am saying. I do not need you to reply. Your trial will now take place on the 20th of January and you will be transferred from where you are now to a more convenient place for the purposes of attending this court.
“You must keep in touch with your solicitors so they can help you for the purposes of this trial. In the meantime you will remain in custody.”