Four charges over alleged Belmarsh incidents
Rudakubana appeared by videolink at the Old Bailey on 19 October 2026 for a plea and trial preparation hearing before Judge Mark Lucraft KC. He spoke only to confirm his identity and was not asked to enter pleas.
The principal charge alleges that on 8 May 2025 he threw hot water mixed with sugar through the hatch of his cell door at HMP Belmarsh, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to a prison officer. Two further counts allege assaults on emergency workers on 6 May and 28 October 2025. A fourth charge alleges possession of an offensive weapon in prison; prosecutors say sharpened stone fragments, apparently removed from the cell floor, were found beneath a shelving unit in June 2025.
The allegations also include claims that Rudakubana threatened a female officer on 6 May and threw liquid at her, and that he punched a male officer on 28 October. These matters have not been determined by the court. Rudakubana was formally charged on 28 July 2026, and the case was sent to the Old Bailey.
Provisional trial timetable
Judge Lucraft set a provisional two-week trial beginning on 4 October 2027 and a review hearing for 5 February 2027. The judge did not take pleas at the October hearing.
Transfer to Broadmoor and sentence
Rudakubana was transferred from HMP Belmarsh to Broadmoor high-security psychiatric hospital in July 2026. Clinical professionals concluded that he could not be managed safely in a prison environment. The Ministry of Justice said the transfer followed an independent clinical assessment under the Mental Health Act.
The Ministry of Justice confirmed that the transfer does not change his life sentence, which has a minimum term of 52 years. Rudakubana is serving that sentence for murdering Alice da Silva Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe and attempting to murder eight other children and two adults at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on 29 July 2024.
Chris Walker, the lawyer representing the three bereaved families, said they had been informed of the transfer shortly before its announcement and that, in the families’ view, it appeared to be another attempt by Rudakubana to “manipulate the system”. This was the families’ lawyer’s allegation, not a finding by the court.