Soham murderer Ian Huntley has been seriously injured in an attack at HMP Frankland in County Durham. The 51-year-old, who was convicted of killing 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in 2002, was taken to hospital after the assault on Thursday morning.
Durham Constabulary said police were alerted to an assault at the prison. A male prisoner suffered serious injuries and was transported to hospital. A police investigation is under way, and detectives are liaising with prison staff.
The North East Ambulance Service confirmed it received a call at 9.23am and dispatched two ambulance crews, with support from the Great North Air Ambulance. One patient was taken to hospital by road.
According to reports, Huntley was knocked unconscious with a metal pole, and a source described his condition as “touch and go”. The Prison Service said it would be inappropriate to comment further while police investigate.
Huntley is serving a life sentence for the murders of Holly and Jessica, who disappeared from Soham, Cambridgeshire, on 4 August 2002. Their bodies were found 13 days later in a ditch. His then-partner, Maxine Carr, served half of a 42-month sentence for perverting the course of justice.
HMP Frankland is a category A prison housing several high-profile inmates, including Michael Adebolajo, Levi Bellfield, and Wayne Couzens. Violent incidents at the prison have occurred previously, including an attack on three prison officers in April 2025.
