Police have launched an investigation after convicted triple murderer Axel Rudakubana allegedly attacked a prison officer at HMP Belmarsh using boiling water. The 18-year-old, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of three young girls and attempted murder of ten others, is accused of using a kettle to heat water in his cell and pouring it over the officer on Thursday.
The prison officer was taken to hospital as a precaution and was discharged later the same day. He is expected to return to work next week, sources confirmed.
Prison Service Condemns Violence Against Staff
A spokesperson for the Prison Service stated: “Police are investigating an attack on a prison officer at HMP Belmarsh. Violence in prison will not be tolerated, and we will always push for the strongest possible punishment for attacks on our hard-working staff.”
The shocking incident comes as concern grows over rising violence in UK prisons. According to the Ministry of Justice, there were 10,605 recorded assaults on prison staff in 2024 across male and female institutions in England and Wales—the highest figure in over a decade and nearly triple the number recorded in 2014.
Rudakubana’s Notorious Criminal Record
Rudakubana was sentenced to a minimum of 52 years in January for the horrific murder of three young girls—Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven. The mass attack occurred during a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop in Southport on 29 July 2024. Ten others, including eight children, were injured.
In addition to the murders, Rudakubana was convicted of attempting to kill instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes. He also faced charges for producing ricin, possessing terrorist material, and carrying a knife.
Calls for Immediate Action Amid Prison Violence Crisis
The incident has sparked renewed calls for urgent reform within the UK prison system. Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick warned on social media that the government had failed to heed repeated alerts: “Warning after warning has been ignored. I personally raised security at HMP Belmarsh just last week. This is a full-blown crisis.”
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood previously announced that Tasers would be trialled in prisons and confirmed a snap review into the use of body armour for prison officers following an increase in violent incidents.
In April, the Home Secretary confirmed that an official inquiry into the Southport murders had begun, aiming to identify systemic failures and prevent similar attacks in the future.
