Southport killer charged with prison attacks and possessing weapon
Southport killer Axel Rudakubana has been charged with three attacks while in prison and possessing a weapon. Police say the offences took place at HMP Belmarsh over six months from May to October 2025.
The 19-year-old murdered Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Bebe King, six, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and injured eight other children and two adults in an attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in July 2024.
He was given a 52-year sentence in January 2025. Earlier this month he was moved to a secure psychiatric hospital.
Rudakubana is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court remotely on 11 September.
He has been charged with the following four offences:
- Assault on an emergency worker on 6 May 2025
- Attempted grievous bodily harm on 8 May 2025
- Unauthorised possession of an offensive weapon in prison on 26 June 2025
- Assault on an emergency worker on 28 October 2025
In May 2025, it was reported boiling water had been thrown on a prison officer at Belmarsh. They were taken to hospital and discharged on the same day.
Read more: BBC