Axel Rudakubana has pleaded guilty to murdering three young girls in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.

The 18-year-old, who was born in Cardiff, admitted to the attack on the first day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

Rudakubana, of Banks, Lancashire, was to stand trial at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday charged with 16 offences, including three counts of murder.

Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, died following the attack at the Taylor Swift-themed class in The Hart Space on a small business park in the seaside town shortly before midday on July 29.

Axel Rudakubana pleads guilty to murdering three young girls in Southport knife attackPA

Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar

The defendant, who was 17 at the time of the attack, admitted their murders as well as the attempted murder of eight other children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, class instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes.

Mr Justice Goose said Rudakubana will be sentenced on Thursday.

Rudakubana also admitted to the production of a biological toxin, ricin, on or before July 29 and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism.

The terrorism offence relates to a PDF file entitled Military Studies In The Jihad Against The Tyrants, The Al Qaeda Training Manual which he is said to have possessed between August 29, 2021 and July 30, 2024.

Heavy police presence outside Liverpool Crown Court ahead of Rudakubana's trial

A prison van believed to contain Axel Rudakubana arriving at Liverpool Crown Court

Ricin, a deadly poison, and the document were found during searches of the home on Old School Close which he shared with his parents, who are originally from Rwanda.

The attack in Southport has not been declared a terrorist incident despite the discovery of the document, Merseyside Police said last year.