Axel Rudakubana, convicted of the July 2024 Southport attack that killed three children, has been charged with three assaults and possession of an offensive weapon allegedly committed at HMP Belmarsh between May and October 2025. He is due to appear remotely at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 11 September 2025. Rudakubana was sentenced to 52 years in January 2025 and was transferred to Broadmoor psychiatric hospital on 23 July under the Mental Health Act — a move criticised by a lawyer for the victims' families.
Southport Killer Faces New Charges Over Prison Attacks And Weapon Possession
Axel Rudakubana is accused of attacking staff at HMP Belmarsh [Getty Images]
Axel Rudakubana, the man convicted of the July 2024 Southport attack that killed three children, has been charged with multiple offences alleged to have taken place while he was in custody at HMP Belmarsh.
New Charges Listed
Police say the incidents occurred across a six-month period from May to October 2025. The Crown Prosecution Service has listed four offences, which are being brought against Rudakubana ahead of a remote hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 11 September 2025.
- Assault on an emergency worker (6 May 2025)
- Attempted grievous bodily harm (8 May 2025)
- Unauthorised possession of an offensive weapon in prison (26 June 2025)
- Assault on an emergency worker (28 October 2025)
Background
Rudakubana, now 19, was convicted of murdering Elsie Dot Stancombe (7), Bebe King (6) and Alice da Silva Aguiar (9) and injuring eight other children and two adults in an attack at a Taylor Swift–themed dance class in July 2024. He was sentenced in January 2025 to a 52-year prison term; the trial judge said he could not impose a whole-life order because Rudakubana was under 18 at the time of the offences.
On 23 July 2025 the Ministry of Justice confirmed Rudakubana had been transferred from HMP Belmarsh to Broadmoor Hospital, a high-security psychiatric facility in Berkshire. Under the Mental Health Act, the ministry generally follows clinicians' assessments about whether a prisoner can be managed safely in a standard custodial setting.
Reaction
The decision to move Rudakubana to a psychiatric hospital has been criticised by a lawyer representing the victims' families. Authorities say the new charges relate to alleged incidents while he was still held at Belmarsh.
Note: The CPS charge list and police statements provide the dates of the alleged offences. Further court proceedings will determine the facts and any potential discrepancies in timelines.
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