Gary Poland, a local taxi driver, was the last person to see Axel Rudakubana before the tragic stabbings that shook Southport.
Poland is now grappling with the emotional aftermath of having dropped off the 18-year-old, who is accused of attacking a group of children at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29.
The attack resulted in the deaths of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine. Ten others were seriously injured in the horrifying incident at the Hart Space Community Centre in Merseyside.
Rudakubana, who hails from Banks, Lancashire, has been charged with three counts of murder, ten counts of attempted murder, and one count of possessing an offensive weapon.
It has come to light that Rudakubana was dropped off by Poland early on the day of the attack. Poland, described as a kind and helpful individual by his neighbors, is deeply shaken by the events.
His wife, Lynn, shared with The Sun that he is struggling to process what happened and feels immense guilt.
Community Support and Fundraising Efforts
In the wake of the tragedy, Southport has rallied around Poland.
A GoFundMe page set up by his friend Liam Rice has surpassed its initial £2,000 target, aiming to help Poland replace his seized vehicle.
The fundraiser notes the financial strain Poland faces due to car payments and bills, alongside the emotional toll of the incident.
Legal and Community Reactions
Rudakubana remains in custody following his court appearance on August 1.
He will return to court in October. An inquest into the deaths of the young victims has begun, with the senior coroner expressing deep sorrow over the tragic loss of life.
The attacks have ignited a wave of anti-immigration protests and riots across the UK, fueled by misinformation about Rudakubana’s background.
Despite the false claims being debunked, protests continue to spread, with anti-racist campaigners outnumbering far-right demonstrators in recent days.
Conclusion
As Southport and the broader community navigate the aftermath of this devastating event, the focus remains on supporting those affected and seeking justice for the victims.
TDPel Media
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