SOUTHPORT KILLER RUDAKUBANA CHARGED WITH PRISON ASSAULTS

Axel Rudakubana has been charged with four offences relating to assaults on prison staff at HMP Belmarsh. The charges include 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, and assault on an emergency worker on 28 October 2025. Rudakubana is to appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court via video link on 11 September. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the charges.

Rudakubana was sentenced to a minimum of 52 years' imprisonment for the stabbing deaths of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine; Bebe King, six; and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on 29 July 2024. Eight other children, dance teacher Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes were physically injured in that attack. He has been held at HMP Belmarsh whilst awaiting trial on the prison assault charges.

The charges were brought following incidents occurring whilst Rudakubana was in custody. The case continues through the courts, with the September hearing representing the next stage in proceedings relating to the alleged assaults on prison staff.