Teen killer Axel Rudakubana will now be subjected to extraordinary levels of security inside Belmarsh Prison after allegedly attacking a prison officer with boiling water.
Treated like Hannibal Lecter
The 18-year-old, who murdered three young girls during a horrific rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class last July, will be confined under conditions compared to those of Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs. Reports claim Rudakubana will be fed through a hatch in his cell door that can only be opened by staff once it is securely closed from their side. He will also be escorted by five guards in full PPE whenever he leaves his cell.
A prison source told The Sun: “This is a huge deal in UK jails as it is considered it dehumanises inmates. He will only be allowed out of his cell after being searched and escorted by at least five officers, who could use a dog if needed.”
Boiling water attack under investigation
The security clampdown comes after Rudakubana allegedly threw boiling water at a prison officer last Thursday. The Ministry of Justice confirmed that police are investigating the assault, and that the prison service “will always push for the strongest possible punishment” in such cases.
The attack has raised renewed concerns over the safety of prison staff, following a similar recent assault by Manchester Arena bomber Hashem Abedi, who attacked officers with hot oil and improvised weapons at HMP Frankland.
Political pressure mounts
Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick warned the government must take urgent action. “We must never put the rights of criminals and terrorists above the safety of prison officers,” he said. “Labour’s Justice Secretary needs to get a grip or else I fear it is only a matter of time before a prison officer loses their life.”
Rudakubana’s crimes shocked the nation
Rudakubana is currently serving a minimum of 52 years for a triple child murder that stunned the UK. During a dance class in Southport, he killed Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven. He also attempted to murder eight other children, instructor Leanne Lucas, and a bystander, businessman John Hayes, who tried to stop him.
Now, officials are said to be considering moving him to another high-security prison to continue his sentence under even tighter supervision.
