The heartbroken great-aunt of a girl killed in the Southport stabbings has paid tribute to the ‘sweetest child’.

Jean Stevenson was laying flowers close to where for seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe was stabbed when she described her great-niece as ‘lovely, sweet and gentle’.

She told BBC News that she had been teaching the youngster to sew, and how excited she was ‘to give her lessons and pass my skills [on].’

Elsie, Bebe King and Alice DaSilva Aguiar were all tragically murdered while at a Taylor Swift themed dance class on Monday, while eight others were seriously injured.

Ms Stevenson continued: ‘It’s true what they say about the Southport community: a very close knit community, a very family-orientated area.

‘Stuff like this just doesn’t happen here.’

Axel Rudakubana, 17, has been named as the attacker and appeared at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday accused of the murders of Elsie, Bebe and Alice and the attempted murders of eight other children, Leanne Lucas, who was running the session and John Hayes, a businessman who rushed in to help.

The teenager’s identity initially could not be revealed because suspects under 18 receive automatic anonymity in all UK court cases, except for in exceptional circumstances.

But after a successful application to the judge by the Mail, the identity of Rudakubana – who turns 18 next week – can now be reported.

Rudakubana was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents in 2006 before his family relocated in 2013 to the quiet village of Banks – a 15 minute drive from Southport.

Also at the police cordon, Elsie’s teachers paid a heartbreaking tribute to a ‘kind and caring’ girl with a ‘super, beaming smile’.

A framed photo was left at the police cordon by Farnborough Schools, made up of an infant and junior school in Farnborough Road, where she was a pupil.

It reads: ‘It has always been a pleasure to have Elsie as part of our school.

‘From her nursery days being carried on dad’s shoulders into the playground, she was a girl with a super, beaming smile.

‘Elsie loved life, school and her friends. Her eyes lit up when she spoke.

‘Elsie was such a determined young lady who loved to please.

‘She was a kind and caring friend to all the children in her class and was always there to look after anyone who was upset.

‘She loved performing, singing, dancing and loved being on the stage.

‘She was adored by her friends and known by everyone in school due to the sparkle in her eyes, her infectious energy and charismatic personality.

‘It is difficult to put into words how amazing Elsie was and the impact she had on those around her.

‘We will miss you, Elsie. You were one of a kind.

‘You will always be a Farnborough girl.’

It comes two days after thousands of mourners gathered for a vigil to remember the three young girls.

More than 5,000 tearful locals laid flowers outside the Merseyside town’s grand Atkinson building after falling silent to remember the tragic trio.

Alice’s aunt, Albertina Freitas, told ITV News in Madeira, Portugal, that the little girl’s father has been left paralysed by his grief.

She said: ‘My brother-in-law is in such a state that he can’t even talk to the family. We try to talk to him but he doesn’t want to. He just clings to the girl’s things.

‘We are not going through it directly, but we can imagine the pain my brother is experiencing. It is an immense pain.’

Talking about her sister, Ms Freitas added: ‘She doesn’t speak at all.’

The family are planning to release balloons in a mass service for her on Saturday at Quinta Grande Church in Madeira. Her grandparents were offered flights to attend her funeral by the Portuguese Consulate.

In a statement, Bebe’s family said: ‘No words can describe the devastation that has hit our family as try to deal with the loss of our little girl Bebe.’