The parents of one of the Southport victims have called for an end to the violent riots that followed her death.
The message was delivered on their behalf yesterday at the funeral of Taylor Swift fan Alice da Silva Aguiar, who was killed at a holiday club last month.
Describing the nine-year-old as their ‘beloved angel’, her parents Sergio and Alexandra said: ‘Keep dancing. Mummy and Daddy will always, always love you.’
Addressing mourners on their behalf, the Chief Constable of Merseyside Police told rioters to ‘hang their heads in shame’ after days of unrest.
Speaking to her parents at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Southport, Serena Kennedy said: ‘You have shown great courage in asking me to be here today to give a message from you, Alice’s family, to say that you do not want there to be any more violence on the streets of the United Kingdom in the name of your daughter.
Police officers detain a man during an anti-immigration protest, in Rotherham, on August 4
Alice da Silva Aguiar pictured on the day she died next to a cardboard cut out of Taylor Swift – she was eager and ready to get into the dance class
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy outside St Patrick’s Church ahead of the funeral of Alice. She addressed mourners on behalf of the parents and told rioters to ‘hang their heads in shame’
The coffin of Alice was carried on a carriage during her funeral at St Patrick’s Catholic Church on Sunday
Alice’s white coffin was decorated with pink roses for her funeral on Sunday
Describing the nine-year-old as their ‘beloved angel’, her parents Sergio (pictured) and Alexandra said: ‘Keep dancing. Mummy and Daddy will always, always love you’
Alice’s heartbroken mother Alexandra pictured at the funeral today
‘I am ashamed and I’m so sorry that you had to even consider this in the planning of the funeral of your beautiful daughter, Alice.
‘And I hope that anyone who has taken part in the violent disorder on our streets over the past 13 days is hanging their head in shame at the pain that they have caused you, a grieving family.
‘I know that you asked that there is no more violence and that you are now given time as a family to grieve in peace.’
Rioting by far-Right mobs erupted in the wake of the knife attack on July 29 in which Alice, six-year-old Bebe King and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe were killed.
The suspect was named as 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, who was born to Rwandan Christian parents in Cardiff in 2006. However fake stories quickly spread on social media, claiming the suspect was a Muslim small boat migrant.
Yesterday, as more than 300 mourners gathered in Merseyside, Alice’s parents released the last photo of her – taken just hours before she was killed. A beaming Alice is pictured in the doorway of the Taylor Swift-themed dance class, next to a cardboard cut-out of the singer.
Alice’s family released pictures on Sunday showing her as she grew up, with several of them featuring her passion for dancing and performing
Another image released by the family shows Alice as a toddler during one of her first ballet classes, to which she wore a pink tutu and ballet shoes
Dressed in black leggings, white Nike trainers and a T-shirt with the slogan ‘Vacay Vibes’, Alice was described as a ‘perfect dream child’ who was ‘dedicated to dance’.
Other pictures showed her as a toddler in a pink tutu and as a primary school pupil in her uniform.
Alice’s parents also released a cute video clip of their daughter wearing bright pink eye shadow and talking to the camera about experimenting with makeup. At the end, she thanks her followers for watching.
Yesterday mourners gathered on the streets outside the church holding bouquets and tying pink ribbons and balloons to lampposts.
Some applauded as a carriage, drawn by two white horses with white feather plumes, carried her coffin to the church. Close family members and friends followed behind on foot before her rose-covered coffin was carried into the church.
Parish priest Father John Heneghan, who led the service, said Alice was a regular at Mass and had a ‘smile more radiant than the sun’.
Alice’s uncle, Richard Lira, read a moving eulogy from her parents who said ‘everything was idyllic’ from the moment their daughter arrived in their lives.
Alice had been dancing from a young age, she is pictured here in her ballet outfit
Alice was one of three little girls to be stabbed to death by a knifeman at a Taylor Swift themed dance class on July 29
People dressed in light colours for nine-year-old Alice’s funeral on Sunday
A male paramedic arrives at the funeral carrying pink flowers
They said: ‘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.
‘A peacemaker of the playground. No shouting is a house rule you applied. A big task for a small girl, especially in a Portuguese household.
‘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, who is Portuguese, attended a celebration of her life on Tuesday, which is traditional in Portugal one week after a person has died.
The parents added: ‘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.
Police at the scene of the Southport stabbings on July 29
Elsie Dot Stancombe, aged seven, (left) and Bebe King, aged six, (right) were also fatally wounded in the attack which shocked the nation
Axel Rudakubana (pictured as a child) has been charged with murdering three little girls and harming 10 others at the Taylor Swift-themed dance class with a ‘curved kitchen knife’
Court artist drawing of Rudakubana covering his face as he appeared in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court
‘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.
‘Your to-do-list was extensive and we were sure that you would achieve it if only you had the time.
‘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.
Alice’s parents said in a tribute: ‘Keep smiling and dancing like you love to do, our princess’
Pictured: One of the family photographs released on Sunday
Pall bearers carry the coffin for the funeral of Southport stabbing victim Alice da Silva Aguiar
‘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.
‘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.
Little Alice pictured here in her school uniform, she was killed in Southport alongside Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven
‘We have the full support of the country and the privilege of multiplying that by two. For that, we’re thankful.
‘For now, our beloved Angel, keep dancing, mummy and daddy will always, always love you.’
Photos from the nine-year-old’s funeral on Sunday show hundreds of devastated mourners arriving outside the church.
Alice’s headteacher also paid an emotional tribute to the nine-year-old at her funeral, tearfully saying ‘teach those angels a few dance moves’.
Jinnie Payne, Alice’s headteacher at Churchtown Primary School in Southport, listed the youngster’s smile and enthusiasm for life among her ‘seven qualities’.
Ms Payne read a poem about her pupil, called Here Comes Alice, in which she mentioned how Alice once decorated a teacher’s pointer to look like a magic wand.
Finishing it, she said tearfully: ‘The time has come to say “there goes Alice”.
Jinnie Payne, Alice’s headteacher at Churchtown Primary School in Southport (pictured), listed the youngster’s smile and enthusiasm for life among her ‘seven qualities’
A beautiful pink and white, horse-drawn carriage carried Alice’s coffin to the church surrounded by those lining the streets to pay their respects
Mourners attending the funeral of Southport stabbing victim Alice da Silva Aguiar
‘We are letting you go dancing now, Alice. Teach those angels a few dance moves.
‘Keep daydreaming, Alice, it’s a magical place to be, in your own thoughts.
‘Make magic every day with your teacher pointer, Alice, and we will feel the power of your magic ability.
‘Let your beaming smile guide you, Alice, and shine brightly on us all.’
Ms Payne told of ‘Alice qualities’, which she wished ‘every child’ at her school could have.
The headteacher said the qualities ‘were in abundance’ and ‘came naturally to her’, demonstrating the youngster’s ‘character’.
She told mourners: ‘Number one, to have a big smile. Not to smile big, there is a difference. Alice wore a natural smile every day, it wasn’t forced and it wasn’t put on.
‘It was everywhere she went. It was her best friend.
‘Number two, polite and respectful. Alice’s manners took her everywhere. She showed politeness, not just “thank you”, but always “thank you” with a reason attached.
St Patrick’s Church, Southport, on Sunday ahead of the funeral of Southport stabbing victim Alice, nine
Paramedics outside St Patrick’s Church ahead of the funeral of nine-year-old Alice
A paramedic carries flowers, ahead of the funeral of Southport stabbing victim Alice
‘Number three, to have interest in others, genuine interest and being inquisitive. Alice asked lots of questions and she remembered things about you.
‘She remembered the names of your children, she remembered where you went on holiday, so you had to be very careful about what you told Alice.
‘Number four, equality, I love this one. This has to be my favourite, how a child at such a young age could not favour one other friend over another.
‘Friends, she played equally with them all. That is so hard to do, and she mastered it.
‘(Number five), enthusiasm for life. Alice wanted to do everything there was on offer and she seized those opportunities and you (her parents) provided them for Alice.
‘But along with those opportunities is number six. She did support and guide. So if she felt things weren’t up to her standard she would tell you, and she would then help you put it right.
‘Finally, the number seven is family. Alice’s words, “it doesn’t matter who your family are as long as they love each other”, and Alice did that.’
Meanwhile Alice’s aunt, Albertina Freitas, told ITV News in Madeira, Portugal, that the little girl’s father has been left paralysed by his grief.
A woman holds a celebration of life programme dedicated to nine-year-old Alice Da Silva Aguiar
Police officers outside St Patrick’s Church, Southport, ahead of the funeral of stabbing victim Alice
‘We are not going through it directly, but we can imagine the pain my brother is experiencing. It is an immense pain.’
Talking about her sister, Ms Freitas added: ‘She doesn’t speak at all.’
She said: ‘My brother-in-law is in such a state that he can’t even talk to the family. We try to talk to him but he doesn’t want to. He just clings to the girl’s things.’
In an earlier tribute, Alice’s parents said: ‘Keep smiling and dancing like you love to do our Princess, like we said before to you, you’re always our princess and no one would change that.’
Liverpool players observed a minute’s silence before their pre-season friendly match against Sevilla at Anfield stadium on Sunday, in memory of Alice, Bebe and Elsie.
Players could be seen linking arms as they dropped their heads to remember the victims, while the coaches and substitutes did the same.
Fans in the stadium also joined in with the minute silence.
Leading the service at St Patrick’s Church, Father John Heneghan previously told BBC Radio Merseyside that Alice was a ‘wonderfully happy girl’ who brought ‘joy to her mum and dad’.
He said the town’s residents were ‘very bruised’ and would remain that way for a long time following the attack.
Players observe a minute’s silence for the victims of the Southport attack before the pre-season friendly football match between Liverpool and Sevilla
Liverpool manager Arne Slot takes part in a minute’s silence in memory of the victims of the Southport attacks
In recent days, violent riots have exploded across several cities including Manchester, Liverpool, Plymouth and Birmingham following the Southport knife rampage which claimed the lives of the three girls.
False speculation online that the teenage suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK on a boat has fuelled the unrest which started outside a mosque in Southport and has since spread across the UK.
The misinformation is believed to have originated from a Russian-linked fake news website.
Right-wing groups have organised dozens of protests from Liverpool to Hull and Middlesbrough to Plymouth – with many filled with anti-immigrant rhetoric.
Riots have seen hotels housing migrants set on fire and police attacked with bricks or glass bottles.
The Prime Minister told Cabinet that ‘people across the country want their streets to be safe and to feel safe in their communities, and we will take all necessary action to bring the disorder to an end’.
