The parents of the Southport killer knew their teenage son was illegally ordering knives online before the 'repugnant' attack, the public inquiry heard today.
Fingerprints belonging to Axel Rudakubana's mother, Laetitia Muzayire, 53, were discovered on packaging of the eight-inch kitchen knife he used to murder three young girls at the Taylor Swift dance class last summer, the hearing was told.
The 17-year-old's father, Alphonse, 49, also admitted to police that he previously took delivery of a 'bladed' item – later discovered to be a 22-inch long machete – and hid it from his son.
Nicholas Moss KC, counsel to the inquiry, said the couple, who fled the genocide in their home country of Rwanda to claim asylum in the UK in 2002, told police they were 'scared' Rudakubana would attack them or his older brother if they confronted him about packages arriving at their home address.
But, although officers found no evidence that they shared their son's interest in violence, the barrister said a number of teachers, mental health workers and other professionals will tell the hearings they 'took issue' with the couple's actions as their son's behaviour deteriorated in the years prior to the July 29 atrocity.
