Southport Killer to Face Trial for Alleged Prison Attacks

Axel Rudakubana, who is serving a life sentence for the murders of three young girls, is scheduled to face trial next year for alleged attacks on prison officers and weapons possession. Rudakubana appeared via videolink at the Old Bailey on Monday.

He faces charges of attempted grievous bodily harm of a prison officer, two additional assaults on officers, and possession of a knife or offensive weapon. These alleged incidents occurred on separate dates last year at HMP Belmarsh in south London. A preliminary hearing is set for February 5, with a provisional trial date of October 8, 2027. Rudakubana did not enter any pleas at Monday's hearing.

The 20-year-old is currently serving a life sentence for the July 29, 2024, murders of nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, six-year-old Bebe King, and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe. He was also convicted of the attempted murder of eight other children and two adults during a dance class event.

According to prosecution claims, on May 8 of last year, Rudakubana allegedly threw hot water through a hatch in his cell door. Two days prior, on May 6, he is accused of threatening a female officer outside his cell if she did not provide him with a newspaper, before throwing liquid at her. Rudakubana also allegedly punched a male officer on October 28.

The charge of possessing an offensive weapon relates to sharpened stone shards that the prosecution contends were removed from the floor of Rudakubana's cell. In July, Rudakubana was transferred from HMP Belmarsh to Broadmoor, a high-security psychiatric hospital, where he appeared from during Monday's hearing.