The teenager accused of murdering three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, used a ‘curved kitchen knife’ in the attack, a court heard today.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is accused of murdering Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine.

He is also accused of the attempted murders of eight more children, along with dance teacher Leanne Lucas, 35, and businessman John Hayes.

The suspect, from Banks in Lancashire, was remanded into youth detention accommodation and will appear at Liverpool Crown Court later today.

The hearing at Liverpool City Magistrates’ Court by District Judge James Hatton lasted just five minutes, where prosecutor Deanna Heer said he used a ‘kitchen knife with a curved blade’ during the rampage.

During that time the defendant, who is also charged with possessing an offensive weapon, wore  a baggy grey tracksuit and black slippers and pulled his sweatshirt of his face above his nose, keeping his head low.

At one point in the hearing, the teenager, who did not speak once, looked back at the group of around 20 reporters that were sat behind the dock.

The suspect arrived at the court around 9.30am in a white prison van flanked by a large escort of at least eight police vehicles.

The large police presence comes amid fears angry protesters will turn up outside the courthouse, after a series of riots have swept the country in recent days.

More than 100 people were arrested in London last night following a far-right protest in Whitehall, with further unrest in Hartlepool, Manchester and Aldershot.

On Tuesday night, an angry mob took to the streets of Southport after a vigil to remember victims of the mass stabbing at the workshop attended by 25 children.

The defendant, born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents, is accused of entering a dance studio in Hart Street and attacking children and adults who were inside on Monday afternoon.

Eight other children suffered knife wounds – with five left in a critical condition in hospital – while two adults who tried to save the young ones in the summer holiday club were also seriously wounded.

The adults harmed were dance teacher Leanne Lucas, 35, and businessman John Hayes who tried to help.

The youth’s identity has not been revealed because suspects under the age of 18 receive automatic anonymity in all UK court cases.

In a statement Merseyside Police said: ‘We can confirm that a 17-year-old boy from Banks has been charged with the murders of Bebe, Elsie Dot and Alice; 10 counts of attempted murder; and Possession of a bladed article, following the tragic incident in Southport on Monday, 29 July.

‘The 17-year-old cannot be named for legal reasons, as he is under 18.

‘He has been remanded in custody to appear tomorrow, Thursday 1 August at Liverpool Magistrates Court, Derby Square.’

Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: ‘Whilst these charges are a significant milestone within this investigation, this remains very much a live investigation and we continue to work with our partners from Lancashire Police and Counter Terrorism Policing North West (CTPNW).

‘I would like to thank all of the forces who have offered and supplied support to Merseyside Police during the last three days and I can confirm that we are being supported with investigative resources from across the North West.’

The boy, who was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents, is from the village of Banks, just outside Southport.

Sarah Hammond, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: ‘We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.

‘It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.’

False claims online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat had sparked riots across Southport on Tuesday night, despite pleas from one of the victim’s mother’s for calm.

Thousands of people turned out to pay their respects to the victims at a vigil in Southport, but violence later erupted outside a mosque in the town with 53 police officers and three police dogs injured. Five men have been arrested following that incident.

After rioting broke out, Elsie’s mother, Jenni Stancombe, wrote on Facebook: ‘This is the only thing that I will write, but please please stop the violence in Southport tonight.

‘The police have been nothing but heroic these last 24 hours and they and we don’t need this.’

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said rioters had ‘hijacked’ a vigil for victims and will ‘feel the full force of the law’, while Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the rioting as ‘violent attacks from thugs on the streets’, which she branded ‘appalling’.

On Wednesday, a clean up operation took place outside the mosque, with residents coming together to clear roads where fires had been set and rebuild walls which had been knocked down.

Police called in support from neighbouring forces in case of further disorder, but the seaside town appeared to remain quiet on Wednesday evening, however unrest developed in other areas of the country.

More than 100 people were arrested in London after crowds gathered in Whitehall turned on police, throwing bottles and cans at officers in riot gear.

Some were heard shouting the name of English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson, while others shouted ‘Rule Britannia’, ‘save our kids’ and ‘stop the boats’ and chanting ‘you’re not English any more’.

A Met Police spokesman said: ‘Over 100 people have been arrested for offences including violent disorder, assault on an emergency worker, and breach of protest conditions. Some officers suffered minor injuries.’

Responding to last nights riots, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: ‘The scenes of disorder and violence yesterday evening were completely unacceptable.

‘There is no place for criminality on our streets and I fully support the Met Police taking action against those intent on violence, causing disorder and spreading division in our city.’

In Hartlepool, County Durham four people were arrested after violent protests broke out, with people detained for various offences after missiles, glass bottles and eggs were thrown at officers.

A police car was also set on fire before protesters posed for selfies with it.

Chief Superintendent David Sutherland said: ‘At this stage we believe the protest is in connection with the incident in Southport earlier this week.

‘Our officers are facing missiles, glass bottles and eggs being thrown at them and have made arrests as they remain in the area to protect the safety of those living in the community.’