Southport stabbings: Mourners in white line street for funeral of 'happy' Alice Da Silva Aguiar, 9
Little Alice Da Silva Aguiar, 9, one of three children killed in the Southport mass stabbing, was laid to rest in the town this afternoon - with hundred packed inside the church and others listening from outside
The funeral of a 9-year-old girl stabbed to death in the horrific Southport attack took place in the town this afternoon as hundreds gathered to pay their respects.
Heartbroken loved-ones gathered to pay tribute to Alice Da Silva Aguiar, 9 – described as being “a wonderfully happy girl” who was “full of life” and a joy to her devastated mum and dad.
The youngster was killed alongside two other little girls, Bebe King, 6, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, after a knifeman raided a local community centre in the Merseyside town on July 29. At the time, the trio were taking part in a Taylor Swift-themed dance class with other children. Little Alice died a day after the attack, on July 30.
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Dozens of well wishers dressed in white and pastel colours lined the streets of Southport, including emergency service workers who responded to the tragedy, including 30 uniformed police officers and Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy.
The priest who presided over Alice’s funeral said her parents were "surrounded by love" ahead of a service being held at St Patrick’s Church, where the sweet six-year-old had her first communion just three months ago in May. A massive floral tribute display was laid outside the church to honour Alice, and bubbles were released into the air.
Buildings and lampposts in the surrounding are were adorned with pink ribbons as people gathered along Marshside Road ahead of the ceremony. Paramedics arrived to pay respects, with pink heart shaped balloons and large flower arrangements to left in little Alice's memory.
The cortege carrying Alice's family and loved ones arrived at St Patrick's Catholic Church around twenty minutes ahead of time, and was captured driving past a growing crowd of mourning locals. As the carriage holding Alice's coffin approached the church, led by two white horses, applause broke out among the grievers.
The private service began at 2pm and will be followed by a cremation at a separate location, as well as a wake at Crossens Community Centre. Hundreds were packed into the church to watch the service, while many more listened from outside as it was relayed by loudspeakers.
Guests were told of Alice's love for playing the guitar, as the priest leading the service began by playing the instrument, with the 9-year-old's guitar next to him as he sang to attendees.
The Headteacher of Churchtown Primary School, the school which Alice and another Southport victim, Bebe King, attended said the youngster was always smiling. Mrs Payne said at the service: “Alice wore a natural smile everyday, it wasn’t forced and it wasn’t put on. She took her manners everywhere. She had genuine interest and was inquisitive."
She then read a poem called “Here Comes Alice” to those gathered outside the church, ending with: “Let your beaming smile guide you and you will forever be in our Churchtown hearts.”
In a tribute written by Alice’s dance teacher Heidi Liddle, read by Mrs Payne, Alice was described as the "most kind hearted child with thick brown hair that danced as she walked.” She continued: “She had a smile that lit up every room that she walked into.”
Father John Heneghan, the parish priest of St Marie and St Patrick Catholic Churches in Southport described Alice as "one of our most precious children". The priest, who is well known to the family, said Alice was a "wonderfully happy girl" who brought "joy to her mum and dad".
Father Heneghan added: "She was lovely little girl, full of life. The most glorious smile you've ever seen. The smile that would light up your heart no matter what troubles you might have. You would break into a smile, you couldn't not, because it was like a rainbow smile."
Merseyside Police Chief Constable Serena Kennedy thanked the family for inviting them to the ceremony. She said: “I’m ashamed and so sorry you have even had to consider this. I hope anyone who has been involved in the violent disorder in the last 13 days is hanging their head in shame for the pain they have put you and your family through."
Alice's parents, "devout Catholics" Sergio and Alexandra, attended a celebration of life mass at St Patrick's on Tuesday. Father Heneghan said he was struck by the "look of love" on their faces and the "dignified, beautiful tears that came gently from their eyes".
He said: "They are wonderful people, and have got a wonderful family around them. They are Portuguese, Madeira, and they have a wonderful support network, they're very close." The priest said the couple were also feeling "wonderfully supported" by the community in Southport and had felt "how much love there is out there".
Speaking of the town generally, he said people were "very bruised and would be for a long time". However he added: "I can't speak for all of Southport, but the people I meet I just see and encounter so much goodness, so much passion, so much loved poured out for those who are caught up in this attack directly and indirectly."
Earlier today, Liverpool Football Club paid tribute to the three young girls who lost their lives as the stadium observed a period of silence ahead of the team's pre-season friendly with Sevilla. They were pictured linking arms as Reds players also wore black armbands for the match.
Last week 17-year-old suspect Axel Rudakubana was able to be named in an 'exceptional' move from the judge to lift a reporting restriction. Rudakubana appeared in court and refused to speak to confirm his name and address in two separate hearings - and also kept his sweatshirt pulled up to his hairline. He was remanded to youth detention accommodation and will next appear in court in October.
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