The 18-year-old suspect in the stabbings that place in Southport on the 29th of July last has entered a plea of not guilty in respect of the charges he is facing.
Axel Rudakubana, who was born in the UK to parents from Rwanda, is facing 16 charges in relation to the fatal stabbing of three little girls at a Taylor Swift themed dance class.
Alice da Silva Aguiar (9) Bebe King, (6) and Elsie Dot Stancombe, (7) died following the stabbings at The Hart Space in Southport, Merseyside.
Rudakubana also faces ten charges of attempted murder in relation to others who were stabbing during the same incident and a charge of possession of a kitchen knife.
These include yoga instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes as well as eight other children who sustained injuries.
He was later charged with producing ricin as well as allegedly being in possession of an al Qaeda training manual discovered during searches of his home in Banks, Lancashire, i days after the stabbings.
Appearing via video link before Liverpool Crown Court today from Belmarsh prison, the accused did not speak and refused to respond to questions put to him by the court.
It was reported that he sat fiddling with his hands and did not confirm his identity of give a verbal indication of his plea in respect of the charges against him.
A plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf after he refused to speak.
A trial date has been set for the 20th of January, with proceedings expected to last six weeks.