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Not guilty pleas have been entered on behalf of Southport stabbings suspect Axel Rudakubana after he refused to speak in court.

The 18-year-old appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today by video-link from Belmarsh prison, wearing a grey tracksuit.

He didn’t answer when asked to confirm his name and sat fiddling with his hands as a prison officer confirmed he could hear the court.

Rudakubana refused to reply when the clerk read out the indictment and the judge Mr Justice Goose directed not guilty pleas should be entered on all 16 counts.

He is charged with three counts of murder, 10 of attempted murder and possession of a kitchen knife over the attack in the Merseyside town on 29 July.

Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar were killed, while eight other children, aged between seven and 13, were injured, along with yoga instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes.

Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice Dasilva Aguiar and Bebe King.
Pic: Merseyside Police
Image:
Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King.
Pic: Merseyside Police

Rudakubana was aged 17 at the time of the attack at The Hart Space, which has not been declared terror-related, according to Merseyside Police.

He was later charged with producing ricin and allegedly possessing an al Qaeda training manual apparently found in searches of his home in Banks, Lancashire, in the days after the mass stabbing.

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The first additional charge, under the Biological Weapons Act 1974, states that he produced a biological toxin, namely ricin, on or before 29 July.

The second, under Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000, alleges he possessed a PDF file entitled “Military Studies In The Jihad Against The Tyrants: The Al-Qaeda Training Manual”.

Rudakubana is due to face trial at the same court on 20 January, with the case expected to last up to four weeks.

There were around 15 family members of the victims in court for today’s hearing, including Alice’s parents.

At times, Rudakubana swayed his head from side to side, bowed his head towards his knees and wobbled his jaw.

The judge told him: “Your trial will now take place on 20 January and you will be transferred from where you are now to a more convenient place for the purposes of attending this court.”

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Three women charged under Terrorism Act after van driven into fence of defence factory

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Three women charged under Terrorism Act after van driven into fence of defence factory

Three women have been charged under the Terrorism Act after a van was driven into an external fence of a defence business in Edinburgh.

The incident happened at the Leonardo facility in Crewe Road North on Tuesday.

The three women – aged 31, 34 and 42 – who were earlier arrested under the Terrorism Act have been charged and are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday 21 July.

Police Scotland’s Counter Terrorism Unit are leading the investigation and enquiries are ongoing.

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Man arrested on suspicion of double murder after elderly couple killed in St Helens fire

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Man arrested on suspicion of double murder after elderly couple killed in St Helens fire

A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after an elderly couple died following a fire at their home in St Helens.

Peter Eric Greener, 77, known as Eric, and his partner Sheila Jackson, 83, were caught in the blaze at their home on South John Street in the early hours of Tuesday.

Mr Greener died on Wednesday, while Ms Jackson died on Thursday.

Eric Greener. Pic: Merseyside Police
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Eric Greener. Pic: Merseyside Police

Sheila Jackson. Pic: Merseyside Police
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Sheila Jackson. Pic: Merseyside Police

Merseyside Police said an accelerant was used to start the fire.

On Sunday, the force said the suspect from St Helens had been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody for questioning.

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Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson said: “Although an arrest has been made, I would like to take this opportunity to remind people to pass on information directly to police or anonymously via Crimestoppers, and not to comment or post in any way which jeopardises this ongoing work.”

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DS Wilson said “extensive enquiries” continue.

She added: “And to that end we are still appealing for anyone with information to come forward, particularly if you live in the area of South John Street and recall seeing or hearing anything suspicious at around the time of the incident.

“Please do not assume what you know has already been reported to us, as we can quickly make that assessment.”

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How e-bike riders are doing double the speed limit – and many of them work for fast food delivery firms

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How e-bike riders are doing double the speed limit - and many of them work for fast food delivery firms

It’s lunchtime on Birmingham’s New Street. 

Close to its many restaurants, food delivery riders are congregating on their bikes.

The area is packed with shoppers and workers.

PC Paige Gartlan is approaching with other officers. She’s on the lookout for illegally modified e-bikes – and she knows she’ll find them here.

“You can physically tell by looking at the bike that it’s generally going to be illegal – the battery pack is taped on to the sides and generally the size of the motor that’s on the back wheel,” she explains.

Sky News has been invited on an operation by West Midlands Police to find these bikes and get them off the streets.

PC Gartlan has been hit by one before. She’s had to tackle a rider to the floor after he drove into her.

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Within minutes, she’s spotted a suspicious-looking bike. The rider makes a run for it – followed by plain-clothed officers.

PC Gartlan tests the bike – it’s showing a top speed of 52km/hr on the speedometer – just over 30mph.

PC Paige Gartlan with a seized e-bike
Image:
PC Paige Gartlan with a seized e-bike

The speed limit for e-bikes in the UK is 15.5mph when using electric power for assistance.

I look up the street and another two riders have been detained. In less than an hour, officers have confiscated four bikes – all were being ridden by fast food delivery drivers.

The commotion is attracting a lot of attention.

“They are dangerous,” Sandra, who has just finished work, tells me.

Demoz had his bike taken by police
Image:
Demoz had his bike taken by police

She’s stood watching the riders being questioned. She says she’s had near-misses herself and is worried for the safety of the elderly and children.

It’s not just West Midlands police officers here – immigration officials are carrying out checks too. They’re involved in a nationwide operation, which has seen more than 7,000 arrests in the last year – a 50% increase on last year.

Matthew Foster, the immigration enforcement lead officer for the West Midlands, tells me they’ve already found one individual who has entered the UK unlawfully.

“He’s been detained,” he says, “to affect his removal from the UK.”

Further down the street, police are loading illegally modified bikes on to a van – they’re destined to be crushed. One of them had belonged to Demoz.

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A e-bike that was seized by police in West Midlands
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An e-bike seized by West Midlands Police

He’s on his way home, carrying a big box with the logo of one of the main fast food delivery firms on it.

He tells me he used to have an illegal bike, but he thought his new one was legal.

“I make a mistake, I have to say sorry, I will do better for the future,” he says.

I get in touch with the big delivery firms; Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat.

Their representatives say they constantly remind workers of their safety obligations, and that they’re all working closely with the government to increase security checks on riders.

As he leaves, Demoz, now bike-free, tells me he’s thinking of changing his job.

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