A teenager has pleaded guilty to killing 3 girls in an attack on a Taylor Swift-themed dance class for children in the UK.

London – A British teenager pleaded guilty on Monday to killing three girls and trying to kill 10 others in what prosecutors said was “deeply planned”. Take a stab at a Taylor Swift themed dance class Last summer in England. Axel RudakubanaThe 18-year-old made the surprise plea as jury selection was expected to begin at the start of the trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

The July 29 knife attack sent shockwaves through the United Kingdom and led to a week of Widespread violence The suspect recently arrived in Britain by boat after being falsely identified as an asylum seeker in various parts of England and Northern Ireland. He was actually born in Wales.

The attack happened on the first day of summer vacation when the little girls in Hart Space, a building hidden behind a row of houses, were in class to learn yoga and dance to Taylor Swift songs. What was supposed to be a day of fun turned into terror and heartbreak when Rudakubana entered the seaside town of Southport in northwest England armed with a knife and began stabbing the girls and their teacher.

Deputy Attorney General Ursula Doyle said: “This was an unspeakable attack – one that left a lasting mark on our community and our country for its brutality and senselessness.” “What was supposed to be a day of innocence, with kids enjoying dance workshops and making friendship bracelets, turned into a terrifying place when Axel Rudakubana carried out his carefully planned attack.”

Prosecutors have not said what they believe led Rudakubanan – days shy of his 18th birthday – to commit the brutal act, but said it was clear Doyle had a “painful and persistent desire for death and violence”.

Rudakubana has consistently refused to speak in court and repeated his refusal to identify himself at the start of the proceedings. But he broke his silence when the 16-count charge sheet was read out and pleaded “guilty” to each charge.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and additional counts of possession of poison ivy and possession of al-Qaeda instructions.

Rudakubana faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced Thursday, Judge Julian Goth said.

Defense attorney Stanley Reese said he would present the judge with information about Rudakubana’s mental health relevant to sentencing.

The surviving victims and family members of the slain were not in court, expecting to appear for opening statements Tuesday.

Goz Rudakubana asked for an apology on behalf of the prosecution as they were not present for the guilty plea hearing.

He pleaded guilty to murdering Alice DaSilva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6.

Eight other girls between the ages of 7 and 13 were injured, along with teachers Leanne Lucas and Jonathan Hayes, who worked at a nearby business and intervened. Another 15 girls, as young as 5, were in the classroom but were unharmed. By court order, none of the surviving girls can be named.

King Charles III and Taylor Swift He was separated from the families of the victims. After the attack.

According to police, the stabbing has been classified as terrorism because the motive is unknown.

Several months after his arrest at the scene of the crime, Rudakubana was indicted on additional charges of manufacturing a biological toxin, ricin, and being of use to a person preparing to commit or prepare a terrorist act. In the document on the computer.

Police said they found the evidence while searching his family’s house in a neighboring village.

The day after the killing – and shortly after a peaceful vigil for the victims – a violent mob attacked a mosque near the scene, pelting police with bricks and bottles and setting fire to police vehicles.

The unrest spread to dozens of other cities the following week, when mobs sparked by far-right activists on social media clashed with police and attacked hotels housing refugees.

More than 1,200 people have been arrested and detained, and hundreds have been in prison for up to nine years.