SOUTHPORT monster Axel Rudakubana is being considered for a move from prison to a “cushy” secure hospital, The Sun can reveal.
Triple child killer Rudakubana, 18, has had assessments with therapists and psychologists over whether he is “mad not bad”.
Axel Rudakubana is eyeing a move from jail to a cushier secure hospital[/caption]
The Southport killer is said to be keen to be switched from Belmarsh prison to Broadmoor, Ashworth or Rampton[/caption]
If the fiend is cleared for treatment in a mental health unit he could be switched from HMP Belmarsh to either Broadmoor, Ashworth or Rampton hospitals.
Inmates at England’s three top-secure psychiatric units are treated as “patients” rather than prisoners, with a focus on their therapy.
Any move would spark controversy also hit the taxpayer with a much higher bill – of £325,000 per year compared to £57,000 in prison – for Rudakubana’s care.
It comes after we told how Rudakubana – serving at least 52 years – was still allowed canteen treats at HMP Belmarsh despite a scalding water attack on a guard at the jail on May 8.
And a source said: “Rudakubana has had the initial tests to see whether he can be classed as mentally ill and moved to a hospital unit.
“Conversations are happening now about his future, after he was being assessed by therapists, psychologists and other medical experts.
“He is very keen for a move because but others at Belmarsh think he is gaming the system.
“He knows he would be on easy street at any hospital, as opposed to Belmarsh which is one of the toughest prisons in the UK.
“If you are serving a sentence as long as his, you would want to be in a secure hospital unit rather than prison.
“No officer at Belmarsh believes he is mentally ill but he says the right things in meetings.
“He was also treated by the NHS before the Southport attack which means he is more likely to be eligible for life in a secure hospital.
“If he was moved, he would be kept in better conditions, with all the rooms single ones and less restrictions on things like TV and DvDs plus visitors.”
Rudakubana, of Banks, Lancs, was caged for life in January for the “sadistic” murders of Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Bebe King, six and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar at a Taylor Swift themed dance class in Southport last July.
When he was sentenced it was revealed he had been under the care of an NHS mental health service between 2019 and 2023 – until he “stopped engaging”.
The fiend has been held under strict conditions at Category A Belmarsh Prison, London.
But we told last month how he was able to hurl boiling water at a guard.
Our source added: “Since the attack, the Governor at Belmarsh has been trying to move Rudakubana on.
“But no Category A jails want to accept him and there are a lack of suitable places.
“Rudakubana would also be less of a target himself for attack in a hospital than he is in prison.
“He would also get 10 times more than he does in prison, in terms of care and conditions.
“It is not right given his horrific crimes but it could happen and the decision will be taken pretty soon.”
Ministry of Justice sources confirmed initial assessments had started – but said no hospital referral had been “initiated” or was ongoing.
Britain’s secure hospitals have held some of the country’s most heinous killers including Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe, Moors Murderer Ian Brady and double cop killer Dale Cregan.
Sutcliffe was held at Broadmoor from 1984 to 2016 and had his own TV and DVD player in a private room with James Bond posters on the walls.
The secure hospital’s website explains its focus on therapy and psychology-based treatment – with patients encouraged to take part in arts and crafts, sport and social activities.
A central building – surrounded by gardens – contains a café, shop and hairdresser, woodwork and ceramics workshops, classrooms and a “multi-faith sanctuary”.
