Southport triple killer given luxury jail perks as ‘bribes’ to behave after 'attacking prison officer'
Axel Rudakubana is reportedly being given luxury perks at one of Britain's most notorious high security jails as ‘bribes’ to behave after he allegedly threw boiling water over a prison officer.
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Police launched an investigation after the Southport triple killer was accused of hurling scolding water over an officer at HMP Belmarsh in May.
His regime has been raised from “basic” to “standard” following the alleged attack, according to The Sun.
It means he is allowed more money to spend in the canteen and extra time away from his cell.
The 19-year-old also has more access to workshops, the library and gym at high security facility, it has been claimed.
“It is outrageous that they have raised him to standard.
“They are basically bribing him to behave — by saying we’ll give you a telly and you can keep it if you don’t attack anyone.
“It makes his life a lot more comfortable and also means he can spend more on phone credit.
“He will get a Freeview TV with about 25 channels and the DVD player, though his access to films will be limited.
“Rudakubana is cock-a-hoop about the change but I doubt the officer who had liquid chucked in his face will be,” a source told The Sun.
Police are still investigating Rudakubana’s prison officer assault, in which he allegedly boiled the water used in the attack using a kettle in his cell, before hurling the scolding water at a prison officer.
It is claimed he targeted the prison officer through the hatch in the door of his cell, with the officer taken to hospital as a precaution.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said the alleged attack was the “third astonishing security failure at a top security prison”.
In a post on X, Mr Jenrick said: “Warning after warning has been ignored."
"I personally raised security at HMP Belmarsh just last week," he continued in the post.
“This is a full blown crisis. No more lengthy ‘reviews’ – the Justice Secretary needs to act NOW.”
The incident was later confirmed by the Prison Service, with a statement insisting such behaviour would "not be tolerated".
Rudakubana was arrested after his attack on a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in which he killed Elsie Stancombe, seven, six-year-old Bebe King and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar.
The teenager was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 52 years - one of the highest minimum terms on record.
He also attacked eight other children and one of the instructors of the class, Leanne Lucas, as well as businessman John Hayes, who attempted to disarm him.
The prison officer involved in the alleged attack was released from hospital the same day, Sky News reported.
The incident came just weeks after Hashem Abedi, the brother of the Manchester Arena bomber, allegedly attacked prison officers.
Abedi attacked three officers using hot cooking oil, before stabbing them with an improvised weapon, it is claimed.
Abedi, who is being held at HMP Frankland in County Durham for his role in the deadly attack eight years ago, inflicted "life-threatening" injuries on the three officers, according to the Prison Officers Association (POA).