Former Prison Governor Vanessa Frake-Harris has warned that Southport killer Axel Rudakubana will have to “look over his shoulder for the rest of his life” whilst serving his sentence for the murders of three young girls.
Speaking to GB News, Frake-Harris predicted that “somebody will undoubtedly try and get to him” due to the nature of his crimes.
Rudakubana is facing sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court today for the murders of three children and attempted murder of ten others at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in July 2024.
The 18-year-old has been forcibly removed twice from the courtroom for causing disruption to the sentencing by shouting during proceedings.
Vanessa Frake-Harris has claimed Rudakubana will be ‘looking over his shoulder for the rest of his life’
GB News / PA
Frake-Harris revealed that Rudakubana is likely already classified as a category A prisoner, based on his police escort to court.
This designation marks him as “a high risk, a danger to the public, and possibly a threat to national security,” she explained.
The former governor indicated that due to his age, the 18-year-old killer will probably be placed in a facility housing inmates between 18 and 25 years old.
However, she noted that “in exceptional circumstances, he may indeed go to an adult prison,” though this decision remains with prison authorities.
Axel Rudakubana has caused severe disruption to court proceedings, and was evicted from the dockPAFrake-Harris explained that Rudakubana will likely be offered “rule 45” protection due to the nature of his offences.
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She said: “It is likely that he will be offered rule 45, which is a protection rule, so he likely end up on a vulnerable prisoner unit with others that are have committed crimes against children, such as rape.
“And certainly because his face has been plastered everywhere over the media, it is likely that he will have to look over his shoulder for the rest of his life, I would imagine, because somebody will undoubtedly try and get to him.”
Despite the protection measures, Frake-Harris indicated that permanent isolation is not a viable long-term solution for Rudakubana.
“He can ask for segregation, under the rule,” she explained to GB News.
Frake-Harris told GB News that Rudakubana is ‘likely a category A prisoner’ due to the nature of his escort
GB News
However, she emphasised that “prison authorities won’t want him to spend his entire life in segregation.”
The former governor stated that eventually, “he will be looked at being put on a wing” with other similar offenders.
Stanley Reiz KC defending told the court: “I understand the defendant has been seen again and found to be fit. For the moment he continues to indicate he would disrupt proceedings. The most recent information is he’s willing to come back into court. He understands its important not to disrupt proceedings.”
Justice Goose told the court: “Would you remove him please and we will continue.”