New court image of Southport stabbing suspect Axel Rudakubana amid terror charge

The teenager accused of killing three children in the Southport knife attacks has appeared in court charged with two further offences. Axel Rudakubana partially covered his face with his grey prison-issue tracksuit as he appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court via video link from HMP Belmarsh today (October 30).

A new court sketch of the 18-year-old, from Banks in Lancashire, shows Rudakubana sitting on a row of red plastic chairs. He did not respond when asked to confirm his name.

A security officer with Rudakubana told the court that the defendant had chosen not to speak, the Liverpool Echo reports. Rudakubana has been charged with production of a biology toxin, namely Ricin, contrary to section one of the Biological Weapons Act 1974.

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He was also charged with possession of information, namely a PDF file entitled 'Military studies in the jihad against the tyrants - the Al-Qaeda training manual', under section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000. Stan Reiz KC, defending, said: "Mr Rudakubana has remained silent at previous hearings as well.

"For reasons of his own he has chosen not to answer the question." Deanna Heer KC, appearing for the prosecution, told the court the defendant had previously been charged with 'offences committed in Southport in July'.

Ms Heer said: "He is currently facing proceedings in Liverpool Crown Court. In respect of those matters, he is due to appear on November 13 for a plea trial and preparation hearing.

"And the Crown's application would be for both of those matters to be sent directly to Liverpool Crown Court to link up with those matters." After Senior District Judge Paul