In a shocking breach of justice and human decency, adult survivors of convicted Southport predator Axel Rudakubanas are being relentlessly targeted by a coordinated social media hate campaign. The vile abuse is allegedly orchestrated by Rudakubanas himself, who is using a smuggled mobile phone from his prison cell to torment his victims.
The 22-year-old offender, currently serving a nine-year sentence at HMP Altcourse for a series of sexual assaults, has become the centre of a major prison investigation. Authorities confirmed they are probing how he accessed a mobile device to continue his reign of terror from behind bars.
A Campaign of Fear and Intimidation
Victims who showed immense bravery in coming forward to secure his conviction are now facing a renewed nightmare. They have reported receiving a torrent of threatening messages, malicious comments, and deeply distressing imagery. The abuse appears designed to intimidate them and inflict further psychological harm, long after the court case has concluded.
One survivor, speaking anonymously due to legitimate safety fears, described the profound impact: "It feels like the nightmare is starting all over again. To be targeted like this from prison is terrifying. It makes you feel like there's no escape."
Prison Service Under Scrutiny
The case has raised serious questions about security within the UK's prison system. The ability of a high-risk inmate to operate a social media campaign from his cell has been condemned by victim support charities and local MPs.
A spokesperson for the Prison Service acknowledged the severity of the incident, stating: "We are investigating the possession of a mobile phone by an inmate at HMP Altcourse. It is a criminal offence to possess a mobile phone in prison and we work closely with the police to support prosecutions."
Calls for Action and Stronger Protections
Merseyside Police have been notified and are assisting the prison service with its investigation. The incident has sparked urgent calls for tech companies to bolster their mechanisms for identifying and removing content posted by incarcerated criminals, and for stronger penalties for those who facilitate phone smuggling into prisons.
This egregious case highlights the evolving challenges of protecting survivors in the digital age and the urgent need to prevent convicted criminals from weaponising social media to continue their abuse.
