A 55-year-old woman from near Chester has been arrested in connection with a social media post containing inaccurate information about the suspect in the tragic Southport stabbings.
Bernadette Spofforth was taken into custody on Thursday, August 8th, on suspicion of publishing material to incite racial hatred and spreading false information. The arrest comes after three young girls were fatally stabbed at a dance class on July 29th.
Three young girls—Bebe King, six, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven—tragically died after being stabbed at the Hart Space in Southport during a Taylor Swift dance class on July 29. Eight other children and two adults were seriously injured in the attack.
Axel Rudakubana, 17, from Lancashire, has been charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder, and possession of a bladed article in a public place. He is set to stand trial next year.
Cheshire Constabulary issued a warning about the dangers of sharing unverified information online, stating that such actions can fuel violence and unrest.
Chief Superintendent Alison Ross emphasized the importance of verifying information before posting it on social media. The incident has sparked widespread concern over the spread of misinformation and its potential impact on communities.