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'I LOST FAITH'

Hero teacher stabbed while shielding children during Taylor Swift dance class attack in Southport speaks out

Leanne Lucas took knife blows to save two girls - before bundling two people into a storage room

A HERO dance teacher who was stabbed trying to save children in the Southport dance attack has spoken out.

Leanne Lucas, 35, suffered wounds to her back, arms and neck in the tragedy at the holiday club which left Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Stancombe, seven, dead.

Leanne Lucas sustained critical injuries after jumping in front of the knifeman to protect the children
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Leanne Lucas sustained critical injuries after jumping in front of the knifeman to protect the childrenCredit: //www.instagram.com/learning_with_miss_lucas/
The 35-year-old told LBC it 'just made us feel very unsafe'
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The 35-year-old told LBC it 'just made us feel very unsafe'Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Bebe King, 6 (left) Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7 (middle) and Alice Dasilva Aguiar (right) tragically lost their lives in the horror attack
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Bebe King, 6 (left) Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7 (middle) and Alice Dasilva Aguiar (right) tragically lost their lives in the horror attackCredit: PA
Axel Rudakubana refused to speak at his court hearing
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Axel Rudakubana refused to speak at his court hearingCredit: Reuters

The former primary school teacher "bent over two girls" and took knife blows to save them - before bundling two people into a storage room.

Speaking out today, she told LBC: "It has just made us feel very unsafe.

"My purpose was creating wellbeing events for children and families, and for that to happen where I was, and for the words I spoke and the children spoke, for that to be trampled over has really dampened all of our spirits.

"It left us feeling unsafe, feeling like we just lost faith in the world."

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Leanne underwent life-saving surgery in the wake of the carnage in July at the Hart Space and was discharged a week after.

Axel Rudakubana is accused of knifing Bebe, Elsie and Alice to death during the July 29 horror.

The girls were among a group enjoying a Taylor Swift Yoga and Dance Workshop at a community centre.

The teenager, of Banks, Lancs, is also charged with attempting to murder eight other children and two adults, plus the production of the toxin ricin, and having information useful in preparing a terrorist act.

Rudakubana has yet to enter any pleas.

A further trial preparation hearing will take place next month.

Cops say the Southport tragedy has not been declared a terrorist attack.

Axel Rudakubana did not confirm his name on a video link from HMP Belmarsh
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Axel Rudakubana did not confirm his name on a video link from HMP BelmarshCredit: PA
Members of the community, family and friends blew bubbles as people gathered to mourn the victims
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Members of the community, family and friends blew bubbles as people gathered to mourn the victimsCredit: Getty
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