Southport killer Axel Rudakubana appears to be manipulating the system, families' lawyer says

Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar were killed in the 29 July 2024 attack

A lawyer for the families of the children murdered by Southport killer Axel Rudakubana says his transfer from prison to Broadmoor psychiatric hospital is an attempt by him to "manipulate the system".

Rudakubana, 19, was given a life sentence for the murder of three children - Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, Bebe King, 6, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7 - and attempted murder of eight other children and two adults.

On Thursday, Rudakubana was moved from HMP Belmarsh to a high-security psychiatric hospital in Berkshire.

Prisoners who present a risk to staff, other inmates or themselves because of mental disorders can be moved to psychiatric units under the Mental Health Act.

Next Wednesday marks two years since Rudakubana carried out the attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July 2024.

Lawyer Chris Walker, who represents the three bereaved families, said they were made aware of the transfer in the last two days.

"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 who would appear to be attempting, once again, to manipulate the system," he added.

In May 2025 there was an investigation after Rudakubana allegedly attacked a prison officer with boiling water.

The Southport Public Inquiry has heard evidence about his past mental health conditions.

Confirming the transfer on Thursday, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said the families of those murdered and injured would be in the country's heart forever and "our thoughts remain with them" and said it does not change Rudakubana's sentence.

Rudakubana was given a 52-year prison sentence in January 2025 but the judge was unable to impose a whole life order due to Rudakubana being 17 when he carried out the attack. He will likely never be released.

Under the Mental Health Act, the MoJ is likely to have had no choice but to accept doctors' recommendations about whether Rudakubana could be held safely in prison.

The law requires he be transferred back to prison when he no longer requires treatment in hospital. His sentence is not being converted into a "hospital order", which would mean he stayed at Broadmoor.