New Report Reveals the 26 Lies Axel Rudakubana Told to Fool Authorities Before Carrying Out the Horrific Southport Murders

Axel Rudakubana began lying to police, teachers, doctors and other authorities when he was just 13 years old, years before he carried out the Southport murders. New details released during the Southport Inquiry show he repeatedly misled officials, hid his true behaviour and manipulated people who were trying to assess or help him before the deadly attack.

The teenager, who murdered three young girls during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport in July 2024, is said to have lied or manipulated authorities at least 26 times between 2019 and the day of the attack. The findings come from reports prepared by Sir Adrian Fulford, who is leading the public inquiry into the tragedy.

The report says there were many occasions when Rudakubana gave false information or tried to deceive professionals. It also notes that one expert believed he may have tried to manipulate assessments, including pretending to feel more remorse than he actually did.

According to reports, these are the 26 occasions where Rudakubana is said to have lied or tried to mislead authorities before the Southport murders:

In June 2019, he withdrew earlier comments in which he had praised the Manchester Arena bombing.

In December 2019, he denied that he intended to use a knife he had taken to school.

Also in December 2019, he denied looking at inappropriate material on school computers.

After an attack at school in December 2019, he claimed the knife he had was only for his own protection.

During the same period, he reportedly tried to bypass the school’s computer security system so he could view blocked online content.

Between December 2019 and January 2020, he falsely claimed that school staff had invented reports about his behaviour.

In January 2020, he said clicking on a website about school shootings had happened by accident.

Also in January 2020, he claimed his online research into nunchucks was only for a school design project.

He also told counter-terrorism officers that his brother had faked a disability.

Later that month, he told a Prevent officer he would never carry knives again.

In February 2020, he claimed he was sorry for a previous attack at school, but investigators later questioned whether that remorse was genuine.

In January 2021, he allegedly gave false information during a youth referral order assessment.

In August 2021, he made false claims that his father had physically abused him.

In January 2022, he used a neighbour’s address when arranging the delivery of an ingredient linked to the poison ricin.

In March 2022, he disappeared for around three and a half hours and later lied about having a weapon.

Later that same month, after being found with a knife on a bus, he claimed he only wanted police to seize his mobile phone.

He also failed to tell his mental health case manager that he had been carrying a knife.

In April 2022, he claimed he had heartburn so he could stop taking his prescribed antidepressant medication.

In December 2022, he allegedly lied in order to obtain another prescription for medication.

In April 2023, he claimed he had limited his internet use to YouTube, despite evidence suggesting otherwise.

Throughout 2023, investigators say he used details from a stolen driving licence to buy machetes.

In July 2024, he used his father’s personal details to order the knives that were later used in the Southport attack.

He also told his father that chemical equipment found in his bedroom was only related to alcohol.

That same month, he reportedly used a fake date of birth to access a graphic online stabbing video.

On the morning of the Southport attack, investigators say he deleted the browsing history from his laptop.

Before carrying out the murders, he also booked taxis using the false name “Simon”.

Rudakubana, who is now 19, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 52 years after admitting the murders of nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, six-year-old Bebe King and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe. He also admitted attempting to murder eight other children and two adults during the attack.

The new revelations have come shortly after Rudakubana was transferred from prison to Broadmoor Hospital, a high-security psychiatric hospital. The move has sparked strong criticism from the families of the victims and prison staff representatives.

Chris Walker, a solicitor representing the three bereaved families, said his clients were given very little information about the decision. He said the news had deeply upset the families, especially as it comes close to the second anniversary of the attack. Walker added that the families believe Rudakubana may once again be trying to manipulate the system, and they are urgently seeking answers from the relevant authorities.

The Prison Officers’ Association also criticised the decision. Its national chairman, Mark Fairhurst, claimed Rudakubana had “played the system” and argued that he should remain in prison for the whole of his sentence rather than being treated in a secure psychiatric hospital. He also said prison staff would no longer have responsibility for him, while hospital staff could face different risks because he is now classified as a patient.

The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that officials approved Rudakubana’s transfer to Broadmoor on behalf of ministers. However, the department stressed that the move does not reduce or change his 52-year prison sentence, and he remains subject to the same life sentence imposed by the court.