Southport killer charged with assaulting prison officer with boiling sugar water
Incidents involve allegations of attacks on prison staff and possession of weapons
Last updated 21st Sep 2026
Southport killer Axel Rudakubana is facing new charges related to violent incidents that allegedly took place at Belmarsh prison last year.
The 20-year-old, who is currently serving a life sentence for the murders of three children and the attempted murder of several others at a dance class in July 2024, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court via video link for the hearing.
Rudakubana is charged with attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, assaulting emergency workers, and possession of an offensive weapon in prison.
According to prosecutor Catherine Pattison, Rudakubana allegedly threw boiling water mixed with sugar at a prison officer through the hatch on his cell door on 8th May last year.
The prosecution told the court that prompt medical attention prevented lasting injury to the officer.
Additional accusations include Rudakubana threatening to "soak" a female officer and throwing an "unknown liquid" at her two days prior, as well as punching a male officer on 28th October 2025.
Further alleged activities include sharpening stone shards seemingly prised from his cell floor and claiming they were kept for self-defence.
The court heard that Rudakubana had claimed prison officers were poisoning his food following the boiling water attack.
For his current charges, Rudakubana did not enter any pleas and was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on 19th October.
Rudakubana was transferred from prison to Broadmoor psychiatric hospital earlier this year according to the Ministry of Justice.
Broadmoor is one of the UK's high-security hospitals, known for housing some of the country's most high-profile criminals.
Under the Mental Health Act, offenders in secure psychiatric units are treated as patients and undergo therapies before a return to prison can be considered.