SOUTHPORT stabbing suspect Axel Rudakuban appeared in a BBC Children In Need promotional video aged 11, newly discovered footage has revealed.
The now 17-year-old appeared in court on Thursday accused of murdering three young girls at a dance studio in a horrific knife attack on Monday.
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Axel Rudakubana appeared dressed as Doctor Who in BBC Children In Need promotional video aged 11
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Rudakubana was on the books of Ology Kids Casting at the time
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Southport stabbing suspect Axel Rudakubana Credits: Avalon.red
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Court sketch of Rudakubana after his appearance on ThursdayCredit: SWNS
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Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, were killed in a horrific knife attack in Southport on Monday.
Rudakubana was also accused of ten attempted murders, including eight more children.
The now 17-year-old played Doctor Who for the BBC’s Children in Need promotional video in 2018, the Mail reports.
In the now-deleted footage, Rudakubana emerged from the Tardis wearing a brown coat and tie.
He told viewers it was “that time of year again” before urging children to dress up as Doctor Who to raise money for Children in Need.
Rudakubana, who was 11 at the time, was on the books of Ology Kids Casting, based in Ormskirk Market, Lancashire.
The promotional video is believed to have been shot on location in nearby Blackpool in early 2018.
In the clip, Rudakubana also told viewers: “You can run from John O’Groats to Land’s End – back.”
The BBC and Ology Kids Casting deleted the video today after Rudakubana appeared in court.
Southport ‘attacker’ named as Axel Rudakubana after accused of ‘murdering’ three children at Taylor Swift dance camp
Ology Kids Casting also deleted a series of Facebook posts about Rudakubana.
One post read: “Look for Ology superstar Axel in a new promo for Children In Need!”
BBC Children in Need said: “Our deepest sympathies go out to everyone affected by this shocking case.
“We have removed the video from all our platforms out of respect for them.”
It is understood that the BBC hired Axel Rudakubana for the spot campaign through a casting agency and that he was never in a relationship with the broadcaster.
The BBC and Ology Kids Casting have been contacted for comment.
THE SUSPECT IN COURT
Rudakubana was named for the first time on Thursday after a judge lifted application restrictions just days before his 18th birthday.
Prosecutors said he was “diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder” and “didn’t want to leave the house and communicate with his family for a while.”
Normally all defendants under the age of 18 have the right to remain anonymous, but Judge Andrew Menary KC refused to grant such an order to conceal his identity.
Instead he announced that Rudakubana could be appointed after hearing legal submissions – telling the court that not doing so would allow others to “spread misinformation”.
He said: “Whilst I accept that this is exceptional given his age, mainly because he will be 18 in six days, I am not making a section 45 order.
“Continuing to prevent full reporting has the disadvantage of allowing others to spread misinformation, in a vacuum.”
Rudakubana, who lives in Banks, Lancashire, but is originally from Cardiff, was remanded in custody until October 25.
No plea was entered, but a preliminary six-week trial date has been set for January 20.
The teenager earlier appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court where he smiled as he entered the dock.
Rudakubana then covered his face with the sleeve of his gray prison tracksuit on the dock.
It can now be revealed that Rudakubana was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents.
He has an older brother, who was also born in the Welsh capital, according to reports.
In 2013, Rudakubana moved to Banks, a Lancashire village a few miles from Southport.
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Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, was killed in the Southport attackCredit: Pixel8000
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Bebe King, six, was also killed Credit: POLICE HANDOUT/UNPIXS
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Alice Dasilva Aguiar, age nine, credit: FACEBOOK/UNPIXS
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Source: HIS Education