The head of an internet cutlery store that supplied a machete to the perpetrator in Southport stated at a public inquiry that he did not inquire about the buyer’s identity. Axel Rudakubana purchased the Black Panther Kukri machete, featuring a 16.5-inch blade, from Knife Warehouse in October 2023 at the age of 17. Despite residing in Banks, Lancashire, his purchase was made using a driving license linked to a man in his 60s residing in Uxbridge, 200 miles away.
The individual, now 19, employed an £8.99 kitchen knife from Amazon to carry out the tragic attack on three children during a dance class last July. Unfortunately, Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice da Silva Aguiar lost their lives, with ten others sustaining severe injuries.
Joseph Wheeler, the managing director of Knife Warehouse, disclosed that the website had likely sold over 100 machetes in 2023 but clarified that they no longer stocked such items. When asked by Inquiry chairman Sir Adrian Fulford about the intended use of the machetes sold, Mr. Wheeler expressed uncertainty regarding the buyers’ motives.
In response to questions about customer scrutiny, Mr. Wheeler mentioned a focus on areas associated with gangs. The inquiry also delved into the appearance of the machete purchased by Rudakubana, with inquiries about the all-black design hinting at aggressive connotations.
Despite the purchase being made using an older man’s driving license, Mr. Wheeler believed the identification to be legitimate. He admitted to not remembering any red flags when the order was placed for delivery far from the license holder’s address.
The company, now implementing stricter verification procedures, requires customers to provide proof of address in addition to ID to confirm legal age. Photos of the delivered package, bearing age-related labels, were presented during the inquiry.
Mr. Moss highlighted that the package did not indicate it contained a bladed item, which was a legal oversight at the time. Mr. Wheeler acknowledged this lapse during questioning. The inquiry proceedings are ongoing at Liverpool Town Hall.