A 17-year-old boy who is charged with the murders of three girls killed in the knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport has been named as Axel Rudakubana.

He appeared at a hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday where the Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC made the ruling.

The teenager could previously not be named because of his age but would have lost anonymity when he turns 18 next Wednesday.

Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were fatally stabbed on Monday when a knifeman entered the dance class on Hart Street in Southport, Merseyside.

A suspect was spotted on CCTV

A prison van escorted by multiple police vehicles arrives at Liverpool Magistrates' Court

Mounted police officers patrol outside Southport Islamic Centre Mosque in Southport

Rudakubana was charged with the attempted murder of two adults, yoga class instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes, as well as the attempted murder of the eight children who cannot be named for legal reasons.

He is also charged with possession of a bladed article, a curved kitchen knife, the court heard.

Rudakubana, 17, of Banks, Lancashire has been further remanded in youth detention accommodation.

Earlier today, the teenager appeared in the dock at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court for a preliminary hearing.

A prison van escorted by multiple police vehicles arrives at Liverpool Magistrates' Court where a 17-year-old boy