A highly toxic substance was found in Alex Rudakubana’s home, police said today
There has been no evidence anyone was exposed to a deadly poison which police said was found at the home of Southport stabbing accused Axel Rudakubana, a public health risk assessment has found. Police today said Rudakubana was charged with a further two offences.
Rudakubana was previously charged with the murders of Alice Da Silva Aguiar, nine, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Bebe King, six, following a mass stabbing on Hart Street in Southport on July 29 this year. The now 18-year-old, of Banks in Lancashire, was also charged with the attempted murder of eight children and two adults – Leanne Lucas and John Hayes – as well as possession of a bladed article in a public place, namely a kitchen knife with a curved blade.
In a press conference this afternoon, Tuesday, October 29, Merseyside Police said the teenager had been additionally charged with production of a toxin called Ricin, contrary to section one of the Biological Weapons Act 1974, and possession of information, namely a PDF file entitled ‘Military studies in the jihad against the tyrants, the Al-Qaeda training manual’.
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Ricin is a highly toxic substance found naturally in castor beans. If inhaled, injected or ingested it can kill an adult unless treatment is received.
However, a senior medical advisor for the UK Health Security Agency has emphasised that, based on the evidence made available to the agency by police, there was no evidence that any victims, responders or members of the public were exposed to Ricin, either as part of the incident at Hart Street or afterwards.
Dr Renu Bindra told the press conference: “Early in August, we were informed by the police that Ricin, a very toxic poison, had been found in the suspect’s home. Following this, our agency’s experts in health and protection and in chemicals, poisons and toxicology immediately undertook a thorough public health risk assessment.
“This was based on the available evidence and information we received from the police, from the Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) and from the NHS. This information confirmed that there was no evidence that any victims, responders or members of the public were exposed to Ricin, either as part of the incident or afterwards. Our detailed initial risk assessment judged that the risk to the community and to the wider public was low.”
The doctor added: “I would like to emphasise that there has been no evidence of Ricin poisoning in anyone involved in or connected to this incident.” Professor Tim Atkins, from DSTL, confirmed they had provided on the ground support to Merseyside Police and access to various laboratories to help identify the presence of the toxin.
Rudakubana is alleged to have entered the dance party, for children aged between three and 12, armed with a knife before attacking those inside. Elsie, Bebe and Alice all died from their injuries suffered in the attack.
Rudakubana will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court via video link tomorrow, Wednesday, October 30. A trial date had previously been set for January 20 next year.
