Teenager charged with murdering three girls at UK dance party amid violent protests

A teenager appeared in court on Thursday, facing charges for the alleged murder of three girls in a stabbing incident at a Taylor Swift-themed dance party, as violent protests erupted in several English cities.
The 17-year-old, who cannot be named due to his age, is charged with three counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder following the attack on Monday in Southport, northwest England.
The incident has stunned the nation, and misinformation circulating online about the suspect has incited violent clashes led by far-right groups. These groups targeted a mosque and clashed with police in Southport, while protests also erupted in London, Hartlepool, and Manchester on Wednesday night. Over 100 people were arrested outside Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s residence at Downing Street.
In response, Starmer was scheduled to hold an emergency meeting with police chiefs on Thursday to address the unrest.
The suspect appeared briefly at Liverpool magistrate’s court and was remanded in custody. He is set to appear at Liverpool Crown Court later in the day. Dressed in a grey tracksuit and black slippers, the teenager smiled before being seated, according to courtroom observers.
The Crown Court is expected to provide further details on his detention.
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The teenager is accused of killing Bebe King, six; Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven; and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine. He is also alleged to have injured eight other children and two adults in the attack, which has prompted widespread grief in the usually quiet seaside town of Southport.
Misinformation about the suspect on social media fueled violent clashes on Tuesday night, including an incident where bricks were thrown at a mosque and 53 police officers were injured. The far-right English Defence League, known for its Islamophobic views and ties to football hooliganism, has been implicated.
The unrest continued into Wednesday, with protests reaching Downing Street. Demonstrators threw bottles at police and chanted slogans such as “We want our country back” and “Stop the boats,” a reference to irregular migrants arriving by small boats.
In Hartlepool, northeast England, protesters set fire to police cars and threw objects at officers, resulting in eight arrests. The police reported that officers were pelted with “missiles, glass bottles, and eggs,” with several sustaining minor injuries.
At the emergency meeting, Starmer is expected to commend the bravery of emergency service workers and underscore the need to protect the right to protest while ensuring that those who use it to incite violence are prosecuted. The Labour government has pledged to enhance community policing and address crime and antisocial behavior, with Interior Minister Yvette Cooper promising increased police presence nationwide.
Starmer will urge police leaders to use their powers decisively to halt violence and ensure justice, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s office.
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