Key Facts

• Axel Rudakubana, 19, was transferred from HMP Belmarsh to Broadmoor psychiatric hospital in Berkshire on Thursday, under the Mental Health Act, which allows prisoners with mental disorders that pose a risk to staff, other inmates, or themselves to be moved to psychiatric units.
• Rudakubana was given a 52-year prison sentence in January 2025 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, but the judge was unable to impose a whole life order due to Rudakubana being 17 when he carried out the attack.
• The families of those murdered and injured would be in the country's heart forever, according to the Ministry of Justice, which confirmed the transfer, stating that it does not change Rudakubana's sentence.
• In May 2025, there was an investigation after Rudakubana allegedly attacked a prison officer with boiling water, and the Southport Public Inquiry has heard evidence about his past mental health conditions.
• Lawyer Chris Walker, who represents the three bereaved families, said they were made aware of the transfer in the last two days and are seeking a meeting with the appropriate authorities to understand the situation before commenting further.