The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that Southport killer Axel Rudakabana has been transferred to Broadmoor secure hospital – this is a breaking news story
Southport killer Axel Rudakabana has been transferred to Broadmoor secure hospital, the Ministry of Justice has confirmed. Rudakubana, 19, from Banks, Lancashire, was sentenced to life imprisonment in January 2025, with a minimum term of 52 years, for the murders of Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Bebe King, six, and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar at a Taylor Swift dance class.
He has been moved from HMP Belmarsh. A Ministry of Justice 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.”
Individuals in psychiatric facilities like Broadmoor are regarded as patients rather than inmates.
Some 26 children, aged between 6 and 13 were in the studio for a Taylor Swift themed dance workshop for the summer holidays when Rudakabana carried out his murderous plan on July 29, 2024.
When Rudakabana entered, the children were gathered around tables making bracelets and singing songs.
Despite the warm weather, he was wearing his hood up and a face mask. He was carrying a kitchen knife with a 20cm-long blade, which he had bought online some days before.
Without saying a word, he grabbed the child nearest to him and stabbed her. He then moved through the room, systematically stabbing as many people as he could before they could escape.
Rudakubana managed to stab 11 children, three of whom he killed. In addition to the children, he also stabbed Leanne Lucas, the yoga teacher who had organised the workshop, and Jonathan Hayes, who was working in the office next door, both of whom had tried to intervene and protect the children.