The Attorney General has issued a warning about commenting on the trial of a teenager charged with stabbing three children to death in Southport.

Axel Rudakubana is due to stand trial on Monday accused of the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July 2024.

Lord Hermer KC – the government’s most senior legal representative – reminded publishers, editors and the public that any material that risked prejudicing Mr Rudakubana’s trial at Liverpool Crown Court – including on social media – could lead to contempt of court proceedings.

The 18-year-old, from Banks in West Lancashire, is also accused of attempting to murder eight other children, who cannot be named, and two adult victims – class instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes.