Tragic victims of a recent attack in Southport were Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine; Bebe King, six; and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven. They lost their lives during a Taylor Swift-themed class at The Hart Space business park shortly before midday on July 29.

On the first day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, Axel Rudakubana, 18, from Banks, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to 16 offences, including three counts of murder. The defendant, who was 17 at the time of the attack, also admitted to the attempted murders of eight other unnamed children, as well as class instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes.

The stabbings prompted nationwide riots. Hours after the attack, false claims circulated online that Rudakubana was a 17-year-old asylum seeker who arrived in the UK by boat last year.

Rudakubana will be sentenced on Thursday and has also pleaded guilty to possession of a knife. Additionally, he admitted to producing the biological toxin ricin before July 29 and possessing information useful for committing acts of terrorism.

The terrorism charge is linked to a PDF titled "Military Studies In The Jihad Against The Tyrants, The Al Qaeda Training Manual," which he is alleged to have had between August 29, 2021, and July 30, 2024. The ricin and the document were discovered during searches of his home on Old School Close, where he lived with his Rwandan parents. Notably, families of the victims were absent during his guilty pleas.

Mr Justice Goose expressed his awareness of the families' absence, stating: "I am conscious of the fact the families are not here today."

Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC confirmed the families did not attend, assuming the trial would begin on Tuesday. Mr Justice Goose extended apologies for their absence.

The families will have the opportunity to attend the sentencing on Thursday, where Rudakubana is expected to receive a life sentence, per UK law for murder convictions.

As Rudakubana faces decades behind bars, the families of the three young girls continue to confront the pain of their loss. Jenni and Dave, parents of Elsie Dot Stancombe, remembered their daughter as an enthusiastic "Swiftie" with a passion for dance, describing her as a "truly unforgettable" girl who brought joy to those around her.

They expressed that Elsie's spirit illuminated countless lives and emphasized the community's heartwarming response to her passing.

Alice da Silva Aguiar, who suffered critical injuries, died in hospital a day after the attack. Her parents described her as their "perfect dream child," who loved animals and inspired those around her with her kindness.

Their emotional eulogy spoke of hopes for her future and the pain of unrealized dreams, stating, "It hurts, we will never see you grow up."

Six-year-old Bebe King was the youngest victim. Her parents, Lauren and Ben, shared their devastation in a statement from Merseyside Police, highlighting their daughter’s vivacious spirit. They remarked that their lives were shattered on July 29, with Bebe being taken from them in an unthinkable act of violence.

In their poignant statement, they concluded with heartfelt remembrance of their "sweet, kind, and spirited girl," who will forever hold a place in their hearts.