Southport killer accused of 'manipulating system' after move to Broadmoor psychiatric hospital

Southport killer Axel Rudakubana has been accused of trying to "manipulate the system" after he was transferred from prison to Broadmoor psychiatric hospital.

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.

Rudakubana, now 19, was transferred from the Category A prison Belmarsh to Broadmoor high-security hospital on Thursday in a move that does not change his sentence, the Ministry of Justice said.

The lawyer representing the families of the three girls, Chris Walker of Bond Turner, said that while the news would "devastate them at any time", it comes ahead of the second anniversary of the attack next Wednesday.

He said: "The three families we represent have been made aware of this development in the last 48 hours and it is safe to say that whilst this news would devastate them at any time, the fact that this has occurred as we approach the second anniversary in our view is another move by AR [Axel Rudakubana] who would appear to be attempting, once again, to manipulate the system.

"We have been given the barest of details and whilst we are supporting the families through this, we are urgently seeking a meeting with the appropriate authorities to understand the situation before commenting further."

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Mark Fairhurst, national chairman of the POA union, which represents prison, correctional, and secure psychiatric workers, echoed the family's sentiments.

He said: "This vile offender has played the system and will now enjoy the freedoms that are afforded mentally unwell patients in secure psychiatric hospitals, including benefits that law abiding tax payers will fund.

"My members will be placed at risk without the protections afforded to staff in prisons because he is now classed as a patient.

"He should spend his entire sentence in a prison in solitary confinement. My thoughts are with the families of the victims and all those affected by his heinous crimes."

Sally Jameson, a junior housing minister and former prison officer, said Rudakubana would be returned to prison "as soon as possible".

Asked about the suggestion of him receiving benefits after the hospital move, she told LBC: "It's not right, I sincerely hope that he won't be qualifying for benefits."

She said prison hospitals are "not like ordinary hospitals", adding: "He will be kept under very stringent conditions, befitting actually to his crime, but also the level of security that needs to be put around him.

"And I'm confident that he will be returned to prison as soon as possible and serve out his sentence.

"And I agree that should be under the most punitive and solitary conditions."

Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, is now calling for Rudakubana to be returned to prison.

He said: "Axel Rudakubana has been moved from prison to a psychiatric hospital where he will be treated as a patient, not a prisoner.

"During the trial, his own defence lawyer did not submit a psychiatric report. This outrageous decision must be reversed."

Offenders presenting an increased risk who cannot be managed in a prison environment because of mental orders can be moved to secure psychiatric units, where they are treated as patients rather than prisoners.

It comes after Rudakubana allegedly attacked a prison officer with boiling water using a kettle in his cell at HMP Belmarsh in May last year.

Broadmoor, in Berkshire, is the oldest of England'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.

It is one of the UK's most secure psychiatric facilities and Rudakubana will remain under constant supervision.

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.

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

(c) Sky News 2026: Southport killer accused of 'manipulating system' after move to Broadmoor psychiatric hospital