Southport killer wanted crossbows delivered discreetly at just 15

Southport killer Axel Rudakubana asked two archery retailers if they could deliver crossbows in "discreet" packaging when he was just 15, an inquiry has been told. The teenager sent an email signed "A" to Tactical Archery in May 2022, Bradley Sutherland, director of its parent company, said. Rudakubana wrote: "I would like to purchase from Tactical Archery but I would prefer discreet packaging which doesn't provide any information on what is inside the box.

"Could I see a photo of what the external packaging of your products look like?" Tactical Archery told him they use grey bags to package their items, to which he responded twice: "Does the crossbow packaging say 'Tactical Archery' on it or any other branding?" Harriet Wakeman, counsel to the inquiry, questioned: "He was going to quite some lengths to determine the nature of the packaging on the crossbow that he may have been seeking to order?"

Mr Sutherland responded: "Yes, you could say that looking at it from hindsight." He maintained that Rudakubana's emails were not enough to raise suspicion at the time.

The attacker then contacted Merlin Archery, the BBC reports. He queried: "If I bought an 18 plus product how would you verify my age, do you verify ID online or does the delivery person check my ID at my door?

"Also, do I have to be 18 to receive the product when it's at my door?"

The company replied with information regarding its age verification process.

This comes after the taxi driver who drove Rudakubana to the Taylor Swift dance class appeared via video link during the inquiry.

Gary Poland, 56, admitted he panicked and sped away before picking up another fare.

He said he thought he heard four or five loud bangs after dropping off Rudakubana and assumed he was an active gunman. He called his "best mate" and took another fare before eventually calling 999 some 50 minutes later.

Mr Poland described the screaming coming from the dance studio as "the most awful sound" and the girls who fled as running "like a stampede for their lives".

The public inquiry continues.