Latest news with #childkiller
The Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Southport monster Axel Rudakubana eyes move to ‘cushy' secure hospital as he has tests to see if he's ‘mad or bad'
SOUTHPORT monster Axel Rudakubana is being considered for a move from prison to a 'cushy' secure hospital, The Sun can reveal. Triple child killer Rudakubana, 18, has had assessments with therapists and psychologists over whether he is 'mad not bad'. 5 5 If the fiend is cleared for treatment in a mental health unit he could be switched from HMP Belmarsh to either Broadmoor, Ashworth or Rampton hospitals. Inmates at England's three top-secure psychiatric units are treated as 'patients' rather than prisoners, with a focus on their therapy. Any move would spark controversy also hit the taxpayer with a much higher bill – of £325,000 per year compared to £57,000 in prison - for Rudakubana's care. It comes after we told how Rudakubana - serving at least 52 years - was still allowed canteen treats at HMP Belmarsh despite a scalding water attack on a guard at the jail on May 8. And a source said: 'Rudakubana has had the initial tests to see whether he can be classed as mentally ill and moved to a hospital unit. 'Conversations are happening now about his future, after he was being assessed by therapists, psychologists and other medical experts. 'He is very keen for a move because but others at Belmarsh think he is gaming the system. 'He knows he would be on easy street at any hospital, as opposed to Belmarsh which is one of the toughest prisons in the UK. 'If you are serving a sentence as long as his, you would want to be in a secure hospital unit rather than prison. 'No officer at Belmarsh believes he is mentally ill but he says the right things in meetings. Southport fiend Axel Rudakubana hurled scalding water over prison guard in 'terrifying' attack putting victim in hospital 'He was also treated by the NHS before the Southport attack which means he is more likely to be eligible for life in a secure hospital. 'If he was moved, he would be kept in better conditions, with all the rooms single ones and less restrictions on things like TV and DvDs plus visitors.' Rudakubana, of Banks, Lancs, was caged for life in January for the 'sadistic' murders of Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Bebe King, six and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar at a Taylor Swift themed dance class in Southport last July. When he was sentenced it was revealed he had been under the care of an NHS mental health service between 2019 and 2023 - until he 'stopped engaging'. The fiend has been held under strict conditions at Category A Belmarsh Prison, London. But we told last month how he was able to hurl boiling water at a guard. Our source added: 'Since the attack, the Governor at Belmarsh has been trying to move Rudakubana on. 'But no Category A jails want to accept him and there are a lack of suitable places. 'Rudakubana would also be less of a target himself for attack in a hospital than he is in prison. 'He would also get 10 times more than he does in prison, in terms of care and conditions. 'It is not right given his horrific crimes but it could happen and the decision will be taken pretty soon.' Ministry of Justice sources confirmed initial assessments had started – but said no hospital referral had been 'initiated' or was ongoing. Britain's secure hospitals have held some of the country's most heinous killers including Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe, Moors Murderer Ian Brady and double cop killer Dale Cregan. Sutcliffe was held at Broadmoor from 1984 to 2016 and had his own TV and DVD player in a private room with James Bond posters on the walls. The secure hospital's website explains its focus on therapy and psychology-based treatment – with patients encouraged to take part in arts and crafts, sport and social activities. A central building – surrounded by gardens – contains a café, shop and hairdresser, woodwork and ceramics workshops, classrooms and a 'multi-faith sanctuary'. 5 5 5
The Sun
30-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Inside evil Southport killer's cushy jail life where he STILL gets Maltesers, crisps & other treats despite guard attack
SOUTHPORT monster Axel Rudakubana can still buy jail treats such as Maltesers and McCoy's despite attacking a guard with boiling water. The triple killer, 18, has them served by officers in his cell at London's Belmarsh Prison. 7 Child killer and jail attack fiend Axel Rudakubana last night faced calls for his canteen privileges to be stripped immediately — with a source saying: 'It's shocking and disgusting he still has these rights.' Rudakubana — serving at least 52 years for killing three girls at a dance class — is also allowed to call family, have religious visits and receive money from relatives while at Belmarsh, South East London. A source said: 'He's been spending £5.50 a week in the canteen since the attack, and can spend it on anything he likes as long as it's not dangerous. 'He's still allowed to buy things like Maltesers and Pringles crisps if he fancies them.' Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick led outrage at the treatment of Rudakubana. He said: 'I cannot believe this monster has been allowed to keep these privileges. It's a disgrace. 'He should be stripped of them immediately, no questions asked. 'It's the least the victims of his horrendous crime would expect. We've got to regain control of prisons before an officer is killed.' Since the attack Rudakubana has been busted down to a 'basic' regime which means his TV has been removed and his time out of his cell has been limited. Our source added: 'He is mostly confined to his cell. He fills in a sheet and stuff gets delivered. Southport fiend Axel Rudakubana hurled scalding water over prison guard in 'terrifying' attack putting victim in hospital 'That means that prison officers, who are the colleagues of the guy he attacked, have to collect his canteen order and deliver it to his cell. 'Array of goods' 'It's made some angry and upset. 'The array of goods on the canteen list is quite staggering and it has all the decent brands. 'He can also buy toiletries, vitamins, drinks and biscuits. 'He's not spending much because he's on basic level and doesn't have a job due to the danger he poses. 'But the principle of it is shocking — and he's been spending what he can every week since the attack. It's very rare for a governor to completely strip a prisoner of canteen rights but I'd say this is an instance where it's justified. 'He's also been able to call his family and had a bit of money sent in to him despite the attack.' Lags at Belmarsh can buy goods including Cadbury Twirl bars, Haribo Starmix bags, McCoy's crisps, Diet Coke, Vimto, vitamins, fruit and cereals like Shredded Wheat and Ready Brek. Also on offer are 'I Love You' cards, draughts sets, prayer mats, cross pendants and prayer hats. But Rudakubana is barred from buying anything that could be turned into a weapon. That includes tins of tuna, after the jagged edge of a can was used to slash Sara Sharif's killer dad Urfan at Belmarsh in January. Rudakubana is also banned from buying butter or baby oil which could be heated for an attack. Police are investigating the 'serious assault' he allegedly carried out at Belmarsh on May 8. The fiend was allowed a kettle and is believed to have used it to boil water. His supervision had been downgraded weeks earlier. The officer was taken to hospital but escaped serious injury and is believed to have returned to work. Rudakubana struck weeks after Manchester Arena terrorist Hashem Abedi, 28, stabbed and burned four officers at Frankland jail, Durham. Rudakubana is also said to have had visits from an imam since his attack. But he has been barred from religious ceremonies for fears he would be targeted. Inmates in UK jails have rights including protection from bullying, access to a solicitor and healthcare plus the right to communication and to make complaints. All other privileges have to be earned, and cons can have their time out of cells severely restricted. Inmates who behave can become 'enhanced' prisoners and earn the right to spend more money and watch TV. Another source said: 'It's fairly unheard of to strip someone of the canteen. But a lot of the public would think it should be done here. "The issue they have is they need to keep him happy and stop legal complaints. Certain prisoners are experts at knowing their rights. 'They were planning to move Rudakubana but the transfer has been delayed by the lack of an alternative. "The natural place would be the separation centre at Frankland. But, ironically, that's been closed down while the attack by Abedi is investigated.' Rudakubana was jailed in January for the murders of . The Prison Service said it did not comment on individuals. 7 7 7 Timeline of events related to the Southport stabbings AXEL Rudakubana has pleaded guilty to the murders of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, and 10 counts of attempted murder. Here is a timeline of events relating to the case: 2002: Rudakubana's father Alphonse moves to the UK from Rwanda, according to an interview he gave to his local newspaper in Southport in 2015. August 7, 2006: Rudakubana is born in Cardiff, Wales. 2013: The family - including Rudakubana's father, mother and older brother - move from Wales to Banks in Lancashire, a few miles from Southport. July 29, 2024: Shortly before midday, a knifeman enters a dance class at The Hart Space in Hart Street in Southport. Bebe, Elsie and Alice are fatally wounded. Eight other children are injured, as are instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes. Police say they have detained a male and seized a knife. Within hours, claims spread online that the suspect is an asylum seeker who arrived in the UK by boat in 2023. Some claims include an alleged identity. July 30, 2024: In the evening, a peaceful vigil is held outside Southport's Atkinson arts venue, where flowers are laid in memory of those who died. Shortly after the vigil, a separate protest begins outside the town's mosque in St Luke's Road. People throw items towards the mosque, property is damaged and police vehicles are set on fire. July 31, 2024: Demonstrators gather in Whitehall, London, for an "Enough Is Enough" protest. Flares and cans are thrown at police and more than 100 people are arrested. Disorder also breaks out in Hartlepool, County Durham, and Aldershot, Hampshire. August 1, 2024: Police announce that Rudakubana has been charged with the murders of Bebe, Elsie Dot and Alice, 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article. He is not named by police because of his age. He appears in court in Liverpool and Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Andrew Menary KC rules he can be named, as he is due to turn 18 in a week. He initially smiled on entering the courtroom - then kept his face covered by his sweatshirt for the remainder of the proceedings before the case was adjourned. Later that evening, demonstrators gather outside a hotel in Newton Heath, Manchester. August 2, 2024: Three police officers are taken to hospital after disorder in Sunderland. August 3, 2024: There are scenes of violence during planned protests across the UK, including in Liverpool, Hull, Nottingham and Belfast. August 4, 2024: Disorder continues, including outside a Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, where masked demonstrators launch lengths of wood and sprayed fire extinguishers at police officers. August 5, 2024: The Government holds an emergency Cobra meeting in the wake of the disorder and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer vows to "ramp up criminal justice". That evening, a peaceful vigil is held in Southport, a week on from the killings. Police deal with disorder in Plymouth, Devon and Darlington, County Durham. August 7, 2024: Prison sentences for those involved in the unrest begin to be handed out. Derek Drummond, 58, is the first person to be jailed for violent disorder at Liverpool Crown Court, where he is sentenced to three years. More than 100 protests are planned for across the country, with counter-demonstrations taking place, but the majority of police forces report very little trouble. October 29, 2024: Merseyside Police announces Rudakubana will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court via videolink the next day charged with production of a biological toxin, Ricin, and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism. October 30, 2024: Rudakubana appears at Westminster Magistrates' Court via videolink from HMP Belmarsh to face the two new charges. He holds his sweater over the bottom half of his face and does not respond when asked to confirm his name. November 13, 2024: Rudakubana appears at Liverpool Crown Court via videolink. He covers his face with his grey sweatshirt and does not speak throughout the hearing. About 20 family members of victims sit in the public gallery. The case is adjourned until December 12, when a preparatory hearing will take place. January 20, 2025: Rudakubana appears at Liverpool Crown Court for the first day of his trial where he pleads guilty to all 16 charges, including the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven.
News.com.au
27-05-2025
- News.com.au
‘Evil': Prisoners Review Board refuse parole for child killer Dante Arthurs
Child killer Dante Arthurs has made a third unsuccessful bid to be released on parole, with authorities finding he poses an unacceptable risk to the community. Arthurs was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2007 for the 'shocking and evil' rape and murder of eight-year old schoolgirl Sofia Rodriguez-Urrutia Shu. Sofia went to the Livingston Marketplace in Canning Vale, in Perth's southeast, with her family in June 2006 when Arthurs followed her to the toilet. Arthurs, then aged 21 and working at the markets, grabbed Sofia and locked her in the disabled toilet. Only 10 minutes later, the young schoolgirl was dead. Her brother discovered her body in the toilet cubicle as Arthurs fled the scene. He pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 13 years – a sentence that was strongly condemned by the public and led to law changes in Western Australia. The non-parole period for murder was increased to carry a penalty of life imprisonment, and a distinction between murder and wilful murder was removed to only consider the charge of murder. Never to be released sentences became available to all murders. The Prisoners Review Board was required to consider Arthurs' release from prison last Friday but refused his parole. Attorney-General Tony Buti said Arthurs would remain in prison. 'It is clear to me after reading the report, the release of Mr Arthurs into the community posed an unacceptable risk,' he said. 'This was a shocking and evil crime that shook all Western Australians to the core and still does today. 'It is impossible to comprehend the pain and suffering Sofia's family has endured and are forced to live with every day and my thoughts are with them. 'I want to assure Western Australians that when making these decisions the concerns of the community are at the forefront of my considerations.' WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch previously told media that Arthurs should remain behind bars. 'I think people know me well enough to know what I think Dante Arthurs should be doing for the rest of his life,' he said.
The Independent
22-05-2025
- The Independent
Letby inquiry publication date pushed back to ‘early 2026'
The publication date of the inquiry report into how child serial killer Lucy Letby was able to commit her crimes on a hospital neonatal unit has been pushed back to 'early 2026'. Lady Justice Thirlwall had previously announced she hoped her findings from the public inquiry surrounding the events at the Countess of Chester Hospital would be released in November. However, a statement issued on the Thirlwall Inquiry website on Thursday said: 'The inquiry has written to core participants with an update on the progress of the final report. 'The chair, Lady Justice Thirlwall, is expected to send out warning letters from September 2025 and the final report will be completed by the end of November. The report will then undergo copy editing and typesetting, ahead of publication in early 2026.' So-called 'warning letters' are sent to those who may be subject to significant or explicit criticism in an inquiry report and allows them the chance to respond. The former nurse, 35, is serving 15 whole-life orders after she was convicted across two trials at Manchester Crown Court of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others, with two attempts on one of her victims, between June 2015 and June 2016. The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which investigates potential miscarriages of justice, is considering evidence presented on her behalf from an international panel of medics who claim poor medical care and natural causes were the reasons for the babies collapsing. Lawyers for the families of Letby's victims have dismissed the panel's conclusions as 'full of analytical holes' and 'a rehash' of the defence case heard at trial. Letby, from Hereford, lost two bids last year to challenge her convictions at the Court of Appeal, in May for seven murders and seven attempted murders, and in October for the attempted murder of a baby girl which she was convicted of by a different jury at a retrial. Cheshire Constabulary is continuing a review of deaths and non-fatal collapses of babies at the neonatal units of the Countess of Chester and Liverpool Women's Hospital during Letby's time as a nurse from 2012 to 2016. A separate probe by the force into corporate manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter at the Countess of Chester Hospital also remains ongoing.
The Sun
10-05-2025
- The Sun
Fury as Southport monster's supervision was CUT BACK in prison before attacking prison guard with scalding water
PRISON supervision of Southport monster Axel Rudakubana was downgraded just weeks before he hurled scalding water at a warder, The Sun on Sunday can reveal. The triple child-killer was also allowed a kettle in his cell and is believed to have used it for the attack. 4 4 The 18-year-old had previously been monitored round the clock after being put on a self-harm prevention plan in the healthcare unit at high-security Belmarsh prison in South East London. Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said changing his status was a 'major security failure'. Rudakubana struck on Thursday, around two weeks after the downgrade. It was also just a month after Manchester Arena bomb plotter Hashem Abedi injured four prison officers by throwing boiling butter at them and lashing out with a knife at HMP Frankland, Co Durham. Abedi, 28, is also now in Belmarsh — though he is in its High Security Unit. Prisoners thought to be at a high risk of suicide or self-harm are placed in the healthcare unit. They are watched over more often, while others there are checked on at 'non-regular' intervals. Staff also try to chat with lags to judge their risk of self-harm. We should do everything we can to humanise prison, but that must be secondary to the individual risk each prisoner poses Ex-prison governor Ian Acheson A source said: 'Rudakubana was in the healthcare unit under 24/7 monitoring but this was downgraded in the last couple of weeks. 'He wasn't even in the High Security Unit at all which begs the question, 'Why not?'. He must be one of the most dangerous prisoners. It seems a huge mistake.' Prison Officers' Association boss Mark Fairhurst said kettles are used by lags for drinks and ready meals, but added: 'Why are we giving people like Rudakubana the same privileges and freedoms as other inmates? It makes no sense. 'We have to base everything on risk and don't give access to things with which they can attack staff. 'We have to have super-max security units, based on the American system, for inmates like him. Prisoners like this are not going to reform or rehabilitate.' Ex-prison governor Ian Acheson added: 'It would not be unusual for someone like Rudakubana to be judged at acute risk of suicide due to the nature of his offence, his age and sentence length — and to be put in the healthcare centre. 'If it was a constant watch, the highest level of surveillance, an officer would be sat on a chair at a cell door, constantly observing and attempting to interact with a prisoner, recording all such exchanges. 'Therefore, an attack like this is probably more likely on a lowered- risk staggered watch, where he would be checked at random times to an agreed frequency. 'We should do everything we can to humanise prison, but that must be secondary to the individual risk each prisoner poses.' Rudakubana was caged for life in January with a minimum term of 52 years, though he is unlikely to ever be released. He murdered Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Bebe King, six, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop last July. He also ordered the highly poisonous chemical ricin and had an Al Qaeda terrorist manual at home. Yet officials decided he did not meet the criteria to be moved to the HSU in their most recent assessment of him. And it is unclear if he has ever been held there. It is ludicrous that the most dangerous and unrepentant prisoners are being given luxuries, like access to kettles, in top security prisons Robert Jenrick An inmate can be moved there for national security reasons, to prevent terrorism, to prevent the prisoner radicalising others, or if an inmate could 'undermine good order and discipline'. Belmarsh's HSU was built in 1991 to house IRA prisoners but has since held Russian intelligence agents, terrorists and notorious violent inmate Charles Bronson. The so-called 'prison within a prison' has 48 single cells — which sources said do not have kettles. Tory MP Mr Jenrick said: 'It is ludicrous that the most dangerous and unrepentant prisoners are being given luxuries, like access to kettles, in top-security prisons. 'The right of our prison officers to do their job safely is infinitely more important than the right of these sick criminals to have a cup of tea. This is a major security failure. 'The Ministry of Justice must stop appeasing evil and dangerous prisoners. The safety of prison officers must always come first.' It was initially feared Rudakubana had mixed the water with sugar to make so-called 'prison napalm'. The warder targeted was taken to the nearby Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich but is expected to return to work next week. The Prison Service said: 'Violence in prison will not be tolerated, and we will always push for the strongest possible punishment for attacks on our hard-working staff.' Last night, it added that it did not comment on the conditions of individual prisoners. The Met Police confirmed: 'The Met is investigating after a prison officer was subject to a serious assault at HMP Belmarsh on the afternoon of May 8.' 4 Get a grip on lags or guard will be killed By Robert Jenrick, Shadow Justice Secretary SINCE when was the right of an evil murderer to make a cup of tea more important than the safety of prison officers? They do a very tough job dealing with the very worst in society. We must have their backs. I fear if Labour's Justice Secretary doesn't urgently get a grip, it's only a matter of time before one gets killed. Just last week, I raised concerns that security procedures at HMP Belmarsh were slipping. But warnings like mine keep being ignored. Why wasn't Southport killer Axel Rudakubana under 24/7 surveillance, given what we know about the risk that he poses? For all the Justice Secretary's empty promises of action, Rudakubana still had access to a kettle. That's despite the fact that he's being held at the country's highest-security prison, for the most appalling crime in years. How can it be right that the most dangerous and unrepentant criminals have access to luxuries like these in a top security prison? I couldn't care less if Rudakubana never had a hot drink again. This latest attack must end the appeasement of these vile criminals and the advocates of this ridiculous rights culture. If that means confining the most dangerous prisoners to cells with only a bed and a toilet, so be it. If it means segregating people like this from the rest of the prison population, so be it. Let segregation mean segregation. No interaction, no privileges — and certainly no cups of tea. Enough. Prison officers come face-to-face with the worst of human nature — and in these cases, pure evil. The very least that the Government can do is to ensure that they are safe. When they go to work in the morning, their families should be confident they will be able to return home in the evening. Governors should never pander to vicious criminals like Rudakubana. We cannot allow an environment in which sick men like him can intimidate officers. This is now a full-blown crisis and it demands fundamental change.
