Nathan Ruth’s journey from a lively young boy to one of the most feared inmates in a UK prison is both shocking and tragic.
Most people haven’t heard his name, but within the walls of the prison system, the 18-year-old is infamous — and not for good reasons.
Over the last three years, since his arrest for terrorism-related offences, Nathan has developed a terrifying reputation for attacking prison staff with makeshift weapons he’s crafted from everyday items.
How an Unpredictable Threat Emerged Inside Prison Walls
The level of violence Nathan has displayed is almost unimaginable.
Prison officers have been stabbed with shanks made from broken toothbrushes, DVD shards, even toilet seats.
One guard was stabbed in the neck, and another nearly lost part of his ear in an attack.
What made Nathan especially dangerous was his unpredictability.
Unlike most prisoners where you can see warning signs before violence erupts, Nathan could lash out without any clear trigger—even while being helped with simple things like filling out a menu sheet.
Rising Concerns Over Prison Safety and Dangerous Inmates
Nathan’s case isn’t isolated. Recently, headlines have focused on how some of the country’s most dangerous prisoners manage to access items they sholdn’t have.
For example, Hashem Abedi, the Manchester Arena bombing plotter, attacked three officers with hot cooking oil and homemade weapons despite being in a high-security isolation unit.
Another case saw a guard at HMP Belmarsh doused with boiling water by child killer Axel Rudakubana.
These incidents have led many to question how such prisoners can cause harm even in supposedly secure environments.
Nathan Ruth’s Strange Treatment Behind Bars
Here’s the twist: despite his violent record inside prison, Nathan hasn’t faced additional jail time for assaulting officers.
Instead, the judge insisted he needed hope and ordered him to attend training courses to address his behaviour.
While at Feltham Young Offenders Institute, he even tried to radicalise other inmates, writing hateful slogans on his cell walls.
Yet, he was given privileges like a single cell, TV access, and even an Xbox, all under the guise of therapeutic care.
Recently, he was moved to a mental health facility in Hampshire, where he enjoys board games and film nights—much closer to his mother who visits regularly.
Prison Staff Shocked by His Manipulation and Danger
Those who worked with Nathan are stunned by how he managed to manipulate the system.
One source described him as a “stone-cold psychopath” who boasted openly about how he’d make headlines for violent acts.
Staff call Feltham the most dangerous young offender institution in the country and say Nathan was one of the worst offenders they’ve encountered.
Despite constant assaults on staff, he never received serious punishment because the authorities believed all violent behaviour stemmed from trauma rather than pure evil intent.
But many warn he won’t stop until someone is seriously hurt or killed.
A Childhood Marked by Trauma and Radicalisation
Nathan’s early life began in Plymouth, before his family settled on the Isle of Wight.
Neighbours remember a happy family and children playing together.
However, at just five years old, Nathan was diagnosed with autism and suffered emotional outbursts.
Things took a tragic turn when his father took his own life when Nathan was ten—a devastating event that deeply affected him and his family.
After this, Nathan became withdrawn and was given extra educational support.
During this period, he developed an interest in Islam, eventually converting at age 14.
At first, his mother and teachers thought this would help him, but his views soon became extreme and isolating.
The Dark Turn to Extremism and Online Radicalisation
Nathan began showing alarming signs of radicalisation.
He refused to associate with women and joined an anti-gay Muslim chat group online.
Staff found disturbing images and messages on his phone, including a background picture of Osama Bin Laden.
Attempts to refer him to the government’s Prevent programme were met with anger, so instead he attended sessions with a local imam, which he openly dismissed on social media.
His online activity escalated to sharing ISIS beheading videos and expressing desire to carry out attacks in the UK.
The Police Intervention and Discovery of a Planned Attack
In 2022, the FBI tipped off British anti-terror police after monitoring a chat group where Nathan appeared to be plotting an attack.
On the day of his arrest at his special school, Nathan was found with a knife and threatening notes referencing violence against “non-believers.”
Investigations uncovered plans to target the Isle of Wight Festival, a massive event attended by tens of thousands, though the plot was abandoned when he couldn’t secure a vehicle.
Instead, he focused his anger on two tutors he believed had insulted Islam.
Court Case, Conviction, and His Violent Behaviour After Arrest
At Kingston Crown Court, Nathan was convicted on multiple terrorism charges and possession of a knife.
Despite the severity, the judge gave him seven years, saying he would have doubled the sentence if Nathan had been an adult.
Nathan claimed his behaviour was childish and that he never meant to harm anyone.
However, his actions since arrest tell a different story.
He attacked staff repeatedly, using improvised weapons, with incidents occurring as soon as he arrived at Feltham.
He admitted to multiple counts of assault and possession of weapons but was given a 12-month detention and training order alongside his sentence.
Mental Health Unit Transfer and Ongoing Safety Concerns
Recently, Nathan was moved to Bluebird House, a mental health facility described as “friendly” and “therapeutic,” complete with games rooms and en-suite bedrooms.
But prison sources say he’s already bragging about how easy it would be to escape and how he’s outsmarting the system.
The Ministry of Justice says measures like pepper spray are being rolled out to protect staff and that prisoners only move to mental health care after clinical assessments.
They also stress they do not tolerate violence and push for the toughest punishments.