A young defendant stood trial on Thursday, facing charges of murdering three girls during a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport, northwest England. The accused, a 17-year-old whose identity is protected due to age restrictions, is also charged with 10 counts of attempted murder arising from the tragic incident that took place on Monday.
The violence at the party has deeply disturbed the nation, leading to misinformation circulating online about the suspect’s background. This misinformation has incited far-right extremists to engage in violent protests across various English cities.
Protests erupted in London, as well as the northern cities of Hartlepool and Manchester on Wednesday evening. Over 100 individuals were detained outside the residence of Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street.
Starmer was scheduled to convene an urgent meeting with police chiefs on Thursday to address the escalating disturbances.
The defendant, who appeared in a Liverpool magistrate’s court, was ordered to be held in custody during a brief proceeding. Later in the day, he was to appear at the Liverpool Crown Court for further proceedings.
Wearing a loose-fitting gray tracksuit and black slippers, the young accused reportedly smiled before being instructed to take a seat by courtroom reporters.
A more definitive decision on the youth’s detention was expected to be pronounced by a judge at the Crown Court.
– Unrest –
The teenager is accused of the murder of Bebe King, aged six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, aged seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, aged nine.
He allegedly injured eight other children and two adults during the frenzied attack, leading to an outpouring of sorrow in Southport, a serene coastal town.
The dissemination of false information about the suspect through social media played a role in sparking violent clashes in Southport, where agitators targeted a mosque and left 53 police officers injured.
Authorities point fingers at members of the far-right English Defence League, an Islamophobic group founded 15 years ago, whose backers have been associated with football-related violence.
On Wednesday, protests extended to Downing Street, with demonstrators hurling bottles at law enforcement and chanting slogans like “We want our country back” and “Stop the boats,” referencing migrant boats crossing the Channel irregularly.
– ‘Full force of the law’ –
In Hartlepool, northeast England, protesters set police vehicles ablaze and hurled objects at officers, resulting in eight arrests.
The Hartlepool police stated that officers encountered attacks with “missiles, glass bottles, and eggs, leading to several minor injuries among them.”
During the meeting with police chiefs, Starmer is expected to highlight the bravery of emergency service personnel and underscore the imperative role they play in ensuring public safety, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s office.
He will also emphasize the protection of the right to protest while warning that individuals exploiting this right to spread hatred and commit violent acts would face severe legal consequences.
The Labour government has pledged to crack down on criminal activities and antisocial behavior, with Interior Minister Yvette Cooper promising policies aimed at bolstering community police presence nationwide.
Starmer will urge police leaders to employ their authority promptly to curb senseless violence and ensure justice prevails, as stated in the official announcement.
AFP