Boy, 17, charged with murder following Southport knife attack

  • ITV Granada Reports journalist Victoria Grimes sent the latest from the late night press conference

A 17-year-old boy has been charged in connection with the deaths of three young girls killed in a mass stabbing in Southport.

Merseyside Police confirmed the teenager, who is from Banks, Lancashire, but originally from Cardiff, has been charged with three counts of murder and 10 of attempted murder.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named because of his age, has also been charged with possession of a bladed article. He will appear at Liverpool City Magistrates on 1 August.

Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Aguiar, nine, all died of their injuries after a knifeman entered a Taylor Swift workshop they were attending on Hart Street on Monday, 29 July.

Eight other children were also injured in the incident, five of those critically ill in hospital.

Two adults, who were reportedly trying to save the children, are also in a critical condition.

Forensic officers at the scene on Hart Street in Southport, Merseyside. Credit: PA Images
Everything we know about the mass stabbing in Southport

Speaking at a press conference, called at midnight on 1 August, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Ursula Doyle, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Merseyside Police to charge a 17-year-old boy, of Banks Lancashire, with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder following the tragic incident that took place in Southport this week."

  • Merseyside Police and the Crown Prosecution Service announced the charges at a late night press conference

She added: “We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.

"It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.

“Our thoughts remain with the families of all of those affected by these harrowing events.”

Also speaking at the press conference, Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, said: "Whilst these charges are a significant milestone within this investigation, this remains very much a live investigation and we continue to work with our partners from Lancashire Police and Counter Terrorism Policing North West (CTPNW) to ensure we have as complete an understanding as possible of this matter.“I would like to thank all of the forces who have offered and supplied support to Merseyside Police during the last three days and I can confirm that we are being supported with investigative resources from across the North West."

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