'Our perfect dream child': Southport victim's parents release final picture of daughter in tribute (2024)

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Parish priest Fr John Heneghan said Alice was a regular at Mass at St Patrick’s and noted she had a “smile more radiant than the sun”.

The youngster’s headteacher at Churchtown Primary School, Jinnie Payne, also listed Alice’s smile among her “seven qualities”.

“We talked about which high school you might attend, about growing up, having a big house and a garden and having children. Children who we will never help you raise. It hurts. We will never see you grow up.

“A day before your final struggle, mummy kept asking if you were okay. So much so that you and daddy asked ‘why?’

“A part of me wondered if I was being too British. But ultimately, I realised I always wanted to know that you were okay. Now, daddy feels sorry for mummy, she has seen things no human should.

“You were taken away from us too soon and we often ask why? Why here? Why us? Why you? We wonder if you ever thought of us. Called for us. We wondered if you felt any pain. We hope not my darling.

“We then question could this have been avoided? Could we have stopped it somehow... we will never get over this pain. We promise to get all the answers. Mummy has seen too much, and we need to know.”

Alice’s parents added:“We feel shocked, unimaginable pain, we miss you.”

“From time to time, the pin drops. When mommy says ‘good night, Sergio, good night Alice’ and then it hits us all over again. We don’t hear you back.

“Moving forward will be hard. Some days are better than others, but none will be perfect.

“Some moments we are weak and we say wild things. But we made a promise to always be there for each other in moments of despair, a pinky promise.

“We share a strong bond and we’ll always have each other to rely on. We won’t be alone.

“We are surrounded by a wonderful community and their full support, family and friends, neighbours, work colleagues, the wonderful servicemen and women who serve the community, your school, your church and all your friends and their parents.”

“In nine short years we never needed time off from you. We never gave up our time for anything that didn’t involve you too. And if we did, we’d always do it separately so you could have one of us always next to you.”

They went on: “You were born and raised into love and we loved cuddling you every night for almost nine years. Apart from the sleepovers and nights away with your friends, we were never apart.

“You liked to sleep with mummy and daddy, enjoyed shutting the curtains and watching Disney Plus with popcorn. Our room was your comfort place. You were our comfort and peace.

“As you were growing up from a princess to a pre-teen, we began to notice some changes, seeing your independence take shape. From your skincare regime to playing with makeup, to your dedication to school, to dance and to your faith.”

In an address to their daughter given on their behalf, Alice’s parents said: “Dear Alice, you were our perfect dream child, everything was idyllic from the moment you arrived.

“A good girl, with strong values and kind nature. A lover of animals and an environmentalist in the making. You moved our world with your confidence and empathy. Playful energetic, friendly, and always so respectful.

“Being around you was a privilege, we cherished every milestone. You completed us.

“In nine short years we never needed time off from you. We never gave up our time for anything that didn’t involve you too.

“And if we did, we’d always do it separately so you could have one of us always next to you.”

The family of Alice DaSilva Aguiar have also shared a short home video of her.

In the video, she appears to be playing with makeup.

Addressing the camera she says: “Look at my eyeshadows”.

New figures released by the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) show that nearly a thousand people have been arrested as of Sunday afternoon in connection with the riots.

The NPCC disclosed that 927 people have been arrested, of which 466 people have been charged and are being prosecuted.

The family of Alice DaSilva Aguiar have shared a collection of pictures to mark her passing, including one taken only hours before she died.

Alice, nine, was stabbed to death alongside Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven at a Taylor-Swift themed dance class in Southport on July 29.

Eight other children and two adults were also seriously injured.

Hundreds of mourners lined the streets of the seaside town in a funeral for Alice on Sunday afternoon.

Her parents Sergio and Alexandra were joined by family and friends at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in the town.

Among those who also gathered to pay their respects were Serena Kennedy, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, along with uniformed officers from the police and the ambulance and fire services.

Northern Ireland’s First Minister and deputy First Minister have condemned a racist attack on a mosque in Co Down and last night’s violence in Londonderry, in which ten police officers were injured.

Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly said the incidents were “wrong, unacceptable and rejected” by the vast majority of the community.

In a joint statement, they said: “They are disgraceful manifestations of criminality and have absolutely no justification.

“Our thoughts are with those PSNI officers injured last night and the victims of recent racist attacks.

“This senseless violence and intimidation has no place in our society and we would appeal for calm.

“Those responsible should be quickly brought before the courts and we urge anyone with information to provide it to the PSNI.”

Chief Constable BJ Harrington, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for public order, said: “Policing continues to stand strong and unified, with hard work and dedication from all of our workforce in the face of daily challenges.

“The situation in England, Scotland and Wales has somewhat stabilised over the last few days, but our colleagues in Northern Ireland have overnight experienced awful violence with significant injuries experienced by officers on the front line and we are doing all we can to support them.

“We have seen and continue to see bravery and the utmost professionalism from our officers, staff and volunteers in dealing with these abhorrent incidents of violent disorder.

“No-one should have to face the prospect of injury or abuse in their work, and our thoughts are with all of those who have suffered injuries in the course of their duties.

“We are working around the clock to bring offenders to justice and ensure the safety of our communities.”

Scotland Yard has warned against sharing unverified videos on social media as they are likely to “mislead or fuel tension”.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed there had been no scenes of unrest or disorder during anti-racism rallies held over the weekend.

Christopher Steele,the former head of the MI6 Russia desk, said he thinks the Security Service could be looking atTommy Robinsonand “even conceivably Nigel Farage” when asked about the possibility of Russian involvement in last week’s riots.

In an interview with Times Radio he said intelligence officers would be looking at those “who incidentally said that we were being misinformed by the government about Southport”.

He said: “They’ll be looking at things like their travel movements, who they’ve been in touch with, monetary transfers, and so on.

“Because that will reveal or not, as the case may be a pattern of behaviour, which can lead to some conclusions about the degree to which Russia has been interfering in this situation.”

Members of the public lined Marshside Road as the funeral cortege arrived, along with about 30 uniformed police officers.

Pink ribbons and balloons were tied to lampposts and garden walls.

Applause broke out as the carriage - drawn by two white horses sporting orange and white plumes - containing the youngster’s white coffin approached the church entrance.

Several hundred people packed into the church while more listened outside as the service was relayed on loudspeakers.

Her parents Sergio and Alexandra were joined by family and friends at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in the town.

Among those who also gathered to pay their respects were Serena Kennedy, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, along with uniformed officers from the police and the ambulance and fire services.

The Former Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Sir Tom Winsor, has said the Online Safety Act needs to be “revised and powers increased”.

Sir Tom said that management at social media companies should face the “criminal liability” as traditional publishers.

In an interview on Times Radio, he said: “I think the Online Safety Act needs to be revised and powers increased.

“In my view, and the view of many others, social media companies hide behind this notion that they are merely facilitators of what can be extraordinarily harmful messages rather than publishers.

“Those who facilitate that, the publishers of the Times or the BBC senior management would be facing criminal liability. I see no distinction for the social media companies.”

Hundreds of mourners have begun lining the streets in Southport as the friends and family of Alice DaSilva Aguiar lay her to rest during a private funeral service and cremation.

The service will be followed by a cremation, and then a wake at Crossens Community Centre. The funeral and cremation will be a private event, with people unable to enter the ceremony uninvited.

West Midlands Police (WMP) say they have made an arrest after a video was circulated on social media of a man suspected of making threats to kill.

The force said the video was brought to their attention and officers identified the location and arrested a 30-year-old man in Sparkbrook, Birmingham, on Saturday evening.

“We take swift and effective action against anyone who feels that they can use social media to stir racial hatred or to encourage people to cause violence or take actions into their own hands,” WMP said.

“We would like to thank the public for making us aware of the video and want to reassure people that action has been taken.

“We will not tolerate violence in our towns and cities, or tolerate those who use social media to encourage such violence.

“Our commitment to the safety of all residents remains unwavering and we will continue to work closely with the community to uphold peace and maintain order.”

Rioters face up to 10 years in jail if convicted, the head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has warned.

Stephen Parkinson, the director of public prosecutions, said hundreds of violent rioters will continue appearing in courts across the country in the coming days.

A 14-year-old boy and a Tory Councillor’s wife are among the hundreds who have been charged over the riots which swept the UK in the wake of the Southport stabbings, in which three young girls were killed.

Many charged so far have been prosecuted for violent disorder, which carries a maximum sentence of five years.

However the CPS is now reportedly considering charging people with the more serious offence of rioting, which could lead to 10 years’ imprisonment.

Calls are growing for an end to racially motivated hate crimes after a mosque was attacked over the weekend.

A petrol bomb was thrown at the mosque in Co Down in the early hours of Saturday, while cars were set alight in Belfast, in incidents described by police as racially motivated hate crimes.

The mosque in Newtownards was attacked at around 1am on Saturday, with graffiti sprayed on the front door and walls of the building in Greenwell Street.

Police said the petrol bomb did not ignite.

Alistair Cathcart, mayor of Ards and North Down, said the mosque has been in Ards for more than 20 years.

“Its members are our neighbours, friends and colleagues,” he added.

A police chief has vowed to “relentlessly pursue” rioters after disorder swept across the north of England.

Detective Chief Inspector Graeme Barr, of Northumbria Police’s major investigation team, said: “Now, just over a week on, we know all too well the effects those appalling scenes have had on our communities across the North East.

“A thorough investigation has been well under way as we look to identify those responsible and ensure they are met with the full strength of the law. We will not tolerate the behaviour we saw in Sunderland city centre on Friday August 2.”

Mr Barr added: “I’m sure we’re making it extremely clear by now that we will relentlessly pursue offenders who were involved - as we’ve managed to secure nearly a dozen convictions in a matter of days.

“As a force, we are prepared to use every avenue available to us to ensure we identify perpetrators and put them where they belong - before the courts.

“This should also act as a stark warning to anyone who thinks we will not look to arrest, charge and place those under 18 before the courts in connection with their roles in the disorder - you should think again.”

A 15-year-old boy who stole vapes during a riot has become the first child in the North-east to be convicted over the violent unrest which erupted across the UK this week.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested on Friday morning as part of a round of early-morning raids across Sunderland.

He appeared at South Tyneside Youth Court on Saturday where he admitted one charge of violent disorder and the burglary of a business, after stealing from a vape shop.

He will next appear at South Tyneside Youth Court on Thursday.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said 10 officers were injured during disorder in Londonderry on Saturday, where fireworks, petrol bombs and other missiles were used to attack police.

Derry City & Strabane Superintendent William Calderwood said: “The scenes we witnessed were disgusting, and I want to commend our officers for their professionalism. These were difficult conditions for officers from across numerous departments.

“To see our officers injured as a result of this violence is appalling. It is completely unacceptable.

“To date one arrest has been made, but we can reassure you a robust investigation is underway to bring all those responsible for this violence to justice.”

He added: “I want to make it clear this violence involved individuals who were intent on attacking police, and who exploited an increased police presence in the city yesterday to do just that.

“We know from the work our officers do on a daily basis that last night’s disgraceful and senseless violence will have provoked anger in the local community and wider area. The public can be reassured you will see our officers on duty today, continuing to work with communities, and working to keep people safe.”