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Teenage suspect in UK dance class stabbings named in rare ruling to counter misinformation
- Judge said naming Axel Rudakubana, 17, was exceptional given boy’s age but shielding his identity may allow false information to spread
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![A man is held back by police as a prison van carrying stabbing suspect Axel Rudakubana leaves Liverpool Crown Court, in Liverpool, UK on Thursday. Photo: PA via AP](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/1020x680/public/d8/images/canvas/2024/08/02/21979419-dd25-4629-974f-b6f21acf3263_9b8c2c1e.jpg?itok=fAhwwdLr&v=1722533875)
The 17-year-old boy charged with murdering three girls and stabbing 10 other people in a dance class was named in court Thursday partly to counter misinformation about his identity that has been blamed for triggering violent protests across England.
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Judge Andrew Menary said his decision to allow Axel Rudakubana to be named was exceptional given the boy’s age.
But he said the teen will lose his right to anonymity when he turns 18 next week and continuing to shield his identity could allow false information about his name and immigration status to spread.
“Continuing to prevent the full reporting has the disadvantage of allowing others to spread misinformation, in a vacuum,” Menary said in Liverpool Crown Court.
![A court artist drawing shows 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, centre, covering his face as he appears at Liverpool Crown Court in Liverpool, England on Thursday. Photo: PA via AP A court artist drawing shows 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, centre, covering his face as he appears at Liverpool Crown Court in Liverpool, England on Thursday. Photo: PA via AP](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2024/08/02/9e80d5ff-a182-43ba-9cb8-267840ee9d9a_fe745ca3.jpg)
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