Southport killer Axel Rudakubana moved to Broadmoor

Southport killer Axel Rudakubana has been moved from Belmarsh prison to Broadmoor psychiatric hospital, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has said.

Rudakubana is serving a 52-year sentence after the fatal stabbing of three girls and the attempted murder of eight other children and two adults at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, Merseyside, in July 2024.

The killer, who was 17 at the time of the attack, pleaded guilty to killing Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven.

Rudakabana was transferred from the category A prison to Broadmoor high-security hospital on Thursday in a move that does not change his sentence, the MoJ said.

Offenders who present an increased risk and cannot be managed safely in a prison environment because of mental disorders can be moved to secure psychiatric units, where inmates are treated as patients rather than prisoners.

An MoJ spokesperson said: "The families of those murdered and injured in Southport will be in this country's heart forever and our thoughts remain with them.

"Any decision to transfer an offender is made following an independent, clinical assessment, under the Mental Health Act.

"Following rigorous security checks, the offender has been transferred to a high-security psychiatric unit, where he will remain until assessed fit to return to prison.

"Officials have approved this transfer, on behalf of ministers. This transfer does not change his sentence - which remains at 52 years - and of which he will serve every single day."

In May last year, while at HMP Belmarsh, Rudakubana allegedly attacked a prison officer with boiling water using a kettle in his cell.

Broadmoor, in Berkshire, is the oldest of the UK's three high-security hospitals and has held some of the UK's most high-profile criminals, including Ronnie Kray and serial killer Peter Sutcliffe, also known as the Yorkshire Ripper.

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Under the Mental Health Act, officials acting for the Justice Secretary have no choice but to accept the advice of clinical professionals to transfer prisoners to a secure facility.

An offender in a secure hospital will be compelled to engage with treatment and to undertake therapies before any return to prison or release into the community.

Where offenders no longer require treatment in hospital, the Act allows a swift return to prison.

(c) Sky News 2026: Southport killer Axel Rudakubana moved to Broadmoor