Axel Rudakubana, 18, has become one of the most closely guarded inmates in Britain, with prison authorities at HMP Belmarsh requiring five riot-gear-clad officers to accompany him whenever he is moved outside his cell. The extraordinary security response follows a string of violent threats and an alleged boiling water attack on a prison officer.
Rudakubana, who is serving a life sentence for the brutal murders of three defenceless children in Southport in January 2023, is now considered such a high risk that he has been banned from all prison IT systems, a restriction typically reserved for terrorism-related offenders.
A source said:
“He is completely unpredictable and has made repeated chilling threats to staff. The risk of violence is so high he is now treated as one of the most dangerous men in the system.”
Rudakubana was just 16 when he carried out one of the UK’s most horrifying recent crimes. In a calculated attack, he murdered 12-year-old Cassie, 10-year-old Isaac, and nine-year-old Mo, each of whom had no means of defending themselves. The attack took place in a family home in Southport, Merseyside, in what police described as “a level of violence rarely seen”.
During the trial, the judge branded Rudakubana’s actions “monstrous and inhuman,” and the court heard how he had shown no remorse. He was sentenced to life in prison in 2024, with a minimum term of 52 years.
In May 2025, Rudakubana allegedly scalded a prison officer by pouring boiling water through the hatch of his cell. Though the officer’s injuries were not life-threatening, the incident prompted an internal review and police investigation.
Since then, reports from within the prison suggest he has repeatedly made explicit threats, including:
“I will kill you,” and “I will smash your face.”
The severity of these outbursts has led to a full riot team being assigned for even the most routine movement, such as showering or medical checks.
A source added:
“It’s like dealing with a ticking time bomb. Officers are terrified to be near him without full protective gear.”
The case has reignited debate over prison safety, especially in high-security institutions like Belmarsh. Prison reform campaigners have called for a ban on in-cell kettles, greater use of stab vests for officers, and increased mental health screening for violent inmates.
One former prison governor commented anonymously:
“If a teenager is being treated with the same level of caution once reserved for Charles Bronson, it tells you all you need to know about the scale of the threat."
Rudakubana’s descent from teenage killer to one of Britain’s most feared inmates highlights ongoing questions around youth violence, rehabilitation, and prison security. His behaviour has reportedly deteriorated further in custody, and authorities are continuing to monitor his mental health and risk level.
As it stands, every step he takes within Belmarsh comes at the cost of five heavily armoured officers.