Southport killer faces new prison assault charges in court

Axel Rudakubana, the man jailed for the murders of three young girls in Southport, appeared in a London court on Monday charged with assaulting prison staff, including an allegation he threw boiling water mixed with sugar at a guard. The 20-year-old, who is serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 52 years, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court via video link from Broadmoor high-security psychiatric hospital. Prosecutors allege that on May 8, 2025, Rudakubana threw boiling water mixed with sugar at a male prison officer through a cell hatch at HMP Belmarsh. He is also charged with two counts of assault on an emergency worker, relating to incidents in May and October 2025, and possession of an offensive weapon after stone shards were found in his cell in June 2025. The court heard that when questioned about the shards, Rudakubana allegedly told an officer he was keeping them for self-defence. Rudakubana spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, and that he could hear the judge during the 15-minute hearing. He was not asked to enter any pleas. The case has been sent to the Central Criminal Court, and he is next scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey on October 19.