Authorities are looking into alleged assaults on a prison officer at HMP Belmar by Southport Triple Killer Axel Ludakbana. Reports suggest that on Thursday, the 18-year-old was using a kettle to boil water in his cell, which he then poured on officers.
The officer was taken to the hospital as a precaution but is expected to be released the same day and return to work next week, according to the Guardian.
A spokesperson for Prison Services emphasized that violence in prisons is unacceptable, stating that they always pursue the strictest penalties for attacks on dedicated staff.
Ludakbana received a 52-year prison sentence in January for the murders of three young girls: Alice da Silva Agier, 9; Bebe King, 6; and Elsie Stancom, 7. He was also implicated in an attack that injured ten others during a Taylor Swift-themed workshop on July 29, 2024, and has faced charges related to producing illegal substances, terrorist materials, and possession of knives.
In April, the Interior Secretary announced that a formal investigation into the Southport murders would focus on assessing lessons learned from these incidents.
Data from the Justice Department indicates that assaults on adult prison staff in the UK and Wales have reached a decade-high, with around 10,605 incidents reported in 2024—up significantly from 3,640 in 2014 and 9,204 in 2023.
Attorney General Shabana Mahmood previously mentioned that the use of Tasers would be trialed in prisons and announced a “snap review” regarding the use of protective armor for staff.
In a post on X, Judge Shadow Chief Robert Jenrik remarked that repeated warnings had been overlooked. He noted that he raised security issues at HMP Belmarsh just last week, describing the situation as a critical crisis and urging immediate action from the Attorney General.
