Rudakubana faces trial over alleged attacks on Belmarsh prison staff

Axel Rudakubana, who is serving a 52-year sentence for murdering three children in Southport, faces a possible trial next October over alleged attacks on staff at HMP Belmarsh. The charges include attempting to cause grievous bodily harm after he allegedly threw boiling water mixed with sugar at a prison officer, who needed urgent medical attention.

Prosecutors also allege that Rudakubana threatened and threw an unknown liquid at a female officer, punched a male officer and possessed sharpened stone shards in prison. He did not enter pleas at a brief Old Bailey hearing and appeared by video link from Broadmoor hospital, where he was transferred from prison in July. A further hearing is scheduled for February to determine the next steps.