LONDON (AP) – A teen pleaded guilty yesterday to charges of killing three girls and wounding 10 others in a stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.
Axel Rudakubana, 18, entered the surprise plea at the start of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court. He pleaded guilty to three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and additional charges related to possessing the poison ricin.
The July 29 stabbings led to a week of rioting across parts of England and Northern Ireland after the suspect was falsely identified as an asylum-seeker who had recently arrived in Britain by boat. He was born in Wales.
A judge said Rudakubana faces life imprisonment when sentenced on Thursday.
Defence lawyer Stanley Reiz said he would present information to the judge about Rudakubana’s mental health that may be relevant to his sentence.
Rudakubana had refused to speak in court and once again refused to identify himself at the start of the proceedings.
Prosecutors haven’t said what they believe led to the rampage.
The stabbings triggered a week of rioting across parts of England and Northern Ireland after Rudakubana – then unnamed – was falsely identified as a recent asylum-seeker.
