Court Hears Allegations Against Rudakubana
Axel Rudakubana, who is serving a life sentence for the 2024 Southport dance class attack, appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday over allegations involving prison staff.
Prosecutors told the court that Rudakubana allegedly threw boiling water mixed with sugar at a prison officer at HMP Belmarsh in London on May 8, 2025. The liquid was allegedly thrown through the hatch of his cell door. The court heard that the officer received medical treatment and did not suffer lasting injuries.
Rudakubana, now 20, appeared at the hearing through a video link from Broadmoor, a high-security psychiatric hospital. He was not asked to enter pleas and only confirmed his identity and that he could hear the proceedings.
Other Incidents Alleged at Belmarsh
The court also heard details of several other incidents involving prison officers.
Prosecutors allege that two days before the boiling-water incident, Rudakubana threatened a female officer and said he would “soak” her if she did not give him a newspaper. He then allegedly threw an unidentified liquid toward her, although no damage or injury was reported.
Another allegation relates to October 28, 2025, when Rudakubana is accused of punching a male prison officer. Prosecutors said the officer had challenged him while staff were attempting to establish whether he had taken medication.
Authorities also allege that sharpened pieces of stone were discovered inside his prison cell in June 2025. Prosecutors said the pieces appeared to have been taken from the floor and were found attached beneath a shelving unit. When questioned, Rudakubana allegedly said he had kept them for self-defence.
Previous Southport Conviction and Next Court Date
Rudakubana was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 52 years after admitting responsibility for the July 29, 2024 attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.
The attack killed three girls — six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar. Ten other people were also injured in the attack.
The new allegations concern incidents that occurred while Rudakubana was being held at Belmarsh. He faces charges including attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, two counts of assaulting an emergency worker and possession of an offensive weapon in prison.
Rudakubana was transferred from prison to Broadmoor in July 2026. His next court appearance is scheduled at the Old Bailey on October 19.
