Southport killer Axel Rudakubana is exploiting the system, a family lawyer has said.

A lawyer for the families of children killed by Southport killer Axel Rudakubana said the move from prison to Broadmoor psychiatric hospital was an attempt to “take control of the system”.

Rudacubana, 19, was sentenced to life in prison for the murders of three children — Alice da Silva Aguirre, 9, Bebe King, 6, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7 — and the attempted murders of eight other children and two adults.

On Thursday, Rudakubana was transferred from HMP Belmarsh to a high-security psychiatric hospital in Berkshire.

Prisoners who pose a danger to staff, other prisoners or themselves due to mental illness may be transferred to a psychiatric ward under the Mental Health Act.

In the year July 29, 2024 Next Wednesday will be two years since Rudakubana carried out the attack in a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.

Chris Walker, a lawyer representing the three families of the deceased, said they were notified of the transfer two days ago.

“Although this news can destroy them at any time, in our view, the occurrence of this event as we approach the second anniversary is another step by AR, which is trying to try again to drive the system,” he said.

“We have been given detailed information and while we assist the families in this regard, we would like to urgently meet with the relevant parties to understand the situation before making any further comment.”

In the year

A Southport public inquiry heard evidence about his previous mental health condition.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ), which confirmed the transfer last Thursday, said that the families of those killed and injured will forever be in the heart of the country and that “our thoughts will be with them” and will not change Rudakubana’s sentence.

Rudakubana was sentenced to 52 years in prison in January 2025, but because Rudakubana was 17 at the time of the attack, the judge was unable to impose a full life sentence. He will never be released.